"Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity"

Microsoft

From left to right are: Homer Jordan, past State President (Sacramento), Tommy O’Neil, State Treasurer (San Francisco), Fred Sullivan, State President (San Jose), Jerry O'Keefe, State Secretary (Orange County), and Michael J. Farrell Sr., past State President (Los Angeles). This photo was taken at a California State Board meeting at the Brothers of St. Patrick in 1972.

Michael J. Farrell Sr., Mentor to all Orange County Hibernians

Little did I know that, while attending a speech by John Hume, SDLP leader in 1969, I would become involved with the Ancient Order Of Hibernians for the next 36 years. A chance meeting with Michael J. Farrell Sr. caused me to become the co-organizer (with Mike Farrell) for the Orange County AOH Division. The formation of the Division took place at the Grand Hotel across from Disneyland in 1971. At the time, Michael J. Farrell Sr. was the past AOH California State President and the President of Division # 1 of Los Angeles. Michael guided the AOH of Orange County through the early formation years and was always on hand to attend our local events, as well as travel with us to AOH State and National Conventions.

As a mentor, Brother Farrell lead with integrity and honor, which helped to show the true path of Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity to Orange County Hibernians. Brother Farrell always took great pride in his involvement with the AOH of Orange County, and I know he would really love the fact that we now have the Jerry O’Keefe Division, as well as a Division named in his honor, the Michael J. Farrell Sr. Division. Brother Farrell’s two sons, Michael and John (Superior Court Justices in Los Angeles County), and two of his grandsons, Kevin and Brendan, are active members of the Michael J. Farrell Sr. Division. The AOH of Orange County owe their very existence to the efforts Michael J. Farrell, Sr.

God rest his soul and let him know how grateful we all are for his love of the Orange County Hibernians and for sharing that love with us.

Jerry O’Keefe

Past National Director

l-r: Jerry O’Keefe - Division 2 Charter President, Actor Pat O'Brien—Irishman of the Year, Michael J. Farrell Sr.- Division 2 namesake(Circa 1970)

Keeping His Vision Alive

The Michael J. Farrell Sr. Division is focused on efforts of Freedom for All Ireland. The issue of a United Ireland was important to Farrell Senior and continues to be so with his family. Members of the Michael J. Farrell Sr. Division include several members of his family. Standing l-r: Eric Linden - Division Treasurer, Jim Hart - State Board Vice-President, Jeff Gallagher - State Board Secretary, Michael O’Keefe - Past State Board President, Michael O’Donoghue - Division Vice-President. Seated l-r: Brendan Farrell, John P. Farrell - Sentinel, Michael J. Farrell, jr. - Division Marshal, Kevin Farrell, Michael Sean Farrell

Charter officers of the Michael J. Farrell Sr. Division in 1995 Pictured in front row, left to right are Jerry O’Keefe (President), Sean Murphy (Guest Speaker). Middle row, left to right are Michael O’Keefe (Treasurer), Mickey Michaud, Patrick Bergin,

and Mike Ryan (Vice President). Back row, left to right are John Farrell, Dan Farrell (Recording Secretary), Michael Farrell, and Daniel Stuckert (Financial Secretary).