The Brunswick Rotary Club is pleased to announce that they have recognized Tom Farrell as a Paul Harris Fellow. Paul Harris Fellows are awarded to Rotarians as well as non-Rotarians throughout the world that demonstrates “service above self.” There are two ways to become a Paul Harris Fellow: one is to make an individual financial contribution, and the other is by a club donating points they have earned towards the award. Earlier this year Brunswick Rotary voted to donate 1000 club points to the Rotary Foundation- which equates to $1000 - to recognize Tom in order to acknowledge his sustained significant contributions to our community. Although Tom is not a Rotarian, his actions exemplify the ideals Rotarians value.
Tom serves as Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Brunswick, Maine a position he has held since 1984.
Tom received his B.S. degree in Recreation and Leisure Service Administration from the University of Maine at Presque Isle. He previously held top leadership positions with both the Maine Recreation and Park Association and National Recreation and Park Association.
Locally, Tom chaired the effort in Brunswick to create the Androscoggin River Bicycle Path, winner of both the 2000 Maine Association of Planners Award and the 2001 East Coast Greenway Trail of Merit Award. In addition, Tom previously received the 2016 Bowdoin Spirit of Service Award. He is a long-serving member of the People Plus Board of Directors and serves as Chair of its Teen Center Advisory Committee.
Tom also took a leadership role in the new Veteran’s Plaza located on the Mall in Brunswick, the monument just dedicated on Veteran’s Day 2020. This project took the commitment of a group of passionate Brunswick veteran volunteers and the support of the Town of Brunswick, but Tom’s role in the ambitious project - constructed entirely by donation – cannot be overlooked.
A statement from Mr. Farrell’s biography illustrates why The Brunswick Rotary Club selected Tom to become a Paul Harris Fellow: ‘His professional and personal efforts have been driven by his commitment to the Brunswick Community and a conviction that all people, especially our most vulnerable neighbors, have access to resources to live a healthy and joyful life.’
We are honored to recognize Tom Farrell as a Paul Harris Fellow.
About the Award:
Paul Harris Fellow recognition is our Rotary Foundation’s way of acknowledging and expressing our appreciation for an individual’s substantial contribution to the mission and core values of Rotary. It is named for our founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with in 1905.