08/07/2026
Sorry to find out that my friend and brother David Farrington has died. A good minister and a great person! Godspeed my friend.
Obituary for Reverend David W. Farrington -
Rochester NH - Reverend David W. Farrington died peacefully at home after a lengthy illness. David was born in Milford, MA. He was the son of Warren and Dorsie (Dowden) Farrington. His early childhood was spent in Medfield MA, later moving to Medway, MA.
David was a graduate of Medway High School, Medway MA, Dean Junior College, Franklin, MA, Boston University, Boston, MA and Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, MA.
David also served in the United States Navy.
While at B.U. David Participated in Project 50, a program of the Boston YMCA that sponsored students in service projects of their choice. He co-directed the Correctional Assistance Program, creating post-release programs for inmates of MA Corrections institutions and county Houses of Corrections. This work sparked a career in Corrections that would last 20+ years.
David was Deputy Superintendent of MCI Shirley, MA and then Superintendent at MCI Park Drive, Boston MA. Both were pre-release facilities.
David retired from Corrections in the early 80s to pursue his original interest in the Ministry. David ultimately served as Unitarian Minister in Rockland MA, Athol, MA, Brunswick, ME, Corpus Christi, TX and Pottstown PA.
David retired in 2015 and moved to Rochester NH, living close to his daughter. His hobbies included Amateur Radio, and cooking, becoming quite proficient at smoking and grilling all manner of meat. he loved to feed a crew when any occasion arose. Even in retirement David was quite busy with ministerial duties for family, friends and colleagues.
David was an active member in the Port City Amateur Radio Club, Greenland NH. “Elmer’s Village” was a program he created to draw newcomers to Amateur Radio and to club membership. David worked tirelessly to draw newcomers to the hobby and the club.
David was widowed from his best friend Carole Ciccone, August 2025 and is survived by his first wife, Barbara Roberts (Hanson) Scarborough ME, daughter Carolyn Farrington, Durham NH, older sister Joyce Hofstra of Wrentham MA and nephews John Hofstra, Wrentham MA, Mark Paine Hofstra and family, Franklin MA and Mark Stuart Hofstra and family, Milford, MA
David was a passionate civil rights advocate. He was passionate about history and politics. He cared deeply for the inmates in his care while involved in corrections. He respected their needs while incarcerated, treated them with dignity and strove to help them find success upon release.
David approached every endeavor with a desire for excellence and perfection. He helped countless friends, family, inmates, colleagues, parishioners in countless ways, with skill, deep knowledge, compassion, dedication and humor. He touched many, many lives.
A Memorial service is set at The Shirley Meetinghouse, 41 Brown Rd, Shirley MA on August 22, 2026, 11am. Reception to follow at the Shirley Town Hall. Burial will be private at a later date.
