LATHAM — Arthur Farrington, a locally adored educator and coach, died on Friday, Oct. 7. He was 61 years old.
A Brooklyn native, Farrington was born on Aug. 9, 1955 and graduated from Kingsborough Community College, SUNY Cortland and Brooklyn College with a master’s degree in Education. He moved to the Capital District in 1984 and lived in Latham for 32 years.
Farrington was a pillar in the Capital District Catholic education community for many years, and held positions at St. Pius X in Loudonville, St. Casimir’s in Albany, and most recently at the La Salle Institute in Troy, where he also coached football for many years.
“La Salle Family—it is with a heavy heart that I must report the passing of Art Farrington early this morning,” La Salle principal Paul Fallon said in a statement. “We praise God for ending his suffering and welcoming Mr. Farrington into eternal life, with Mrs. Farrington. May Mr. Farrington’s soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
La Salle closed on Tuesday, Oct. 11, so students, faculty, and staff would be able to attend Farrington’s funeral.
Farrington was the middle school principal of La Salle when baseball coach Jesse Braverman started working there. Braverman said that Farrington then switched to being a guidance counselor, and that Farrington was always dedicated.
“I was always impressed with his kindness and concern for the students,” he said.
Dennis Mullahy, principal of St. Pius X Catholic School in Loudonville, worked in the junior high school with Farrington. Farrington mentored Mullahy during that first teaching job, and helped to keep him balanced with the work-load. Mullahy, who described Farrington as “firm, but fair,” said that he counseled parents as much as the students.
“He was the go-to guy for everything,” Mullahy said. Farrington also played light-hearted pranks on newer teachers as well, according to Mullahy, and worked on the drama shows as well.
“Everybody knew Art,” Mullahy said. “He was well loved here.”
Farrington is survived by two children and four grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews.