City flags will fly be flying at half mast following the death of former three-term city councillor Sean Farrelly on Sunday.
Farrelly died suddenly at home. He was 62.
Farrelly was first elected to city council in 1994 and was reelected in three straight municipal elections, representing Ward 2 for nine consecutive years, before being defeated in 2003. He ran again in 2010 but lost.
His mother Kathleen also served a term on council from 2007 to 2010 and his father was a longtime bus driver with the city.
Ward 1 councillor Bob Bell was a good friend of Farrelly's, having worked with him as young men at W.C. Woods. The two remained friends ever since.
"He was a wonderful guy, a really wonderful man," said Bell Monday.
Farrelly worked for many years with the County of Wellington and went back to school to earn a degree in environmental studies from the University of Waterloo before retiring and starting his own home renovation business.
Mayor Cam Guthrie noted Farrelly's passing at Monday's council meeting, noting that Farrelly was one of the early advocates for environmental stewardship with the city when he served.
He is survived by his wife and two grown daughters.
Visitation takes place Sunday, Nov. 3, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Rosary Church, 175 Emma St., on Monday, Nov. 4, at 10:30 a.m.
The mayor also issued the following statement on its web site.
"It is with deep sadness that I have learned of the sudden passing yesterday of former member of Guelph City Council, Sean Farrelly. On behalf of Council and the City of Guelph, I extend heartfelt sympathies to Sean’s family and loved ones.
Sean served his community for nine years as a Councillor for Ward 2, from 1994 to 2003. During his time on Council, he served on the finance committee and was dedicated to ensuring the City provided excellent services while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Sean will be greatly missed by Councillors and City staff who had the privilege of working with him. We join the community in mourning the loss of a dedicated and thoughtful champion for Guelph.
Our thoughts are with Sean’s mother, Kathleen Farrelly, who herself served as a Ward 1 Councillor from 2007 to 2010, and with his entire family.
City flags will be lowered to half-mast in Sean’s honour."
