Reginald "Reg" Farrington

Reg Farrington, 84, a proud veteran of the United States Army, passed away at home on February 1, 2023 in Portland, Connecticut, surrounded by family. The second son of Norman and Sarah (Andrew) Farrington, he was born on Christmas day 1938 in Providence, RI, and grew up in East Hartford, CT.  He graduated from the University of Connecticut and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1960.  He obtained a master’s in history from Southwest Missouri State College.  After 21 years of active duty, including two tours of Vietnam, he retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. A true patriot and dedicated supporter of veteran causes, he was the commander of American Legion Post 69 for 17 years, a member of its Color Guard, co-led the effort to establish the Portland Veterans Memorial and was a member of the Connecticut Military Vehicle Collectors Club.

Reg’s other occupations included teaching natural resources at Hartford Vocational School (VT), joining his brother Ed at American Concrete Pumping, and substitute teaching at Portland High School.  He was an avid reader of history, and enjoyed spending time with his local Castelli family, experiencing great joy from his nieces Stacy, Jessica (Josh) Shelberg, nephew Jeremy (Ammie), great-nephews Cole, John and Andrew and great-nieces Carolanne and Charlie. 

He is predeceased by his parents, his older brother Norman and his wife Dianne (Boyer), and his parents-in-law Rose (Preli) and Andrew Castelli, and Rose’s second husband Louis Castelli, his son-in-law Robert Johnson and sister-in-law Carol (Anderson) Castelli.

He is survived by his devoted wife Andrea, daughters Elaine Farrington Johnson (Frank Moore) and Norma (Ken) Schneiderman, son Ethan (Sandee), grandson Matt (Ari) Leezer, granddaughter Lauren, great grandson Finnley, brothers Ed (Karen), Geoffrey (Jessie), Stephen (Sharon) and David (Sue), brothers-in-law Steve, Mark (Kim) and Tom Castelli, many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

There will be a graveside service with full military honors for Reg on Friday, February 10 at 1:00 p.m. at the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown, CT 06067. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Legion Post 69, PO Box 161, Portland, CT 06480.  To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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