Community mourns loss of town attorney
Town council pays tribute to Bill Farrell, a victim of cancer
by Jason Stone

CAVE CREEK – Town officials and other Creekers mourn the passing of attorney Bill Farrell, who died last weekend of lung cancer.

Town council held a moment of silence May 15 for the town attorney, “who was never negative” during his battle with the illness, one local resident said.

“Mr. Farrell and I didn’t always agree,” local activist Anna Marsolo said. “We’ve butted heads strongly over the last four years, but I grew to like the ‘Gentle Giant.’ It turns out we had things in common: We took part in Cave Creek politics.”

Farrell, who was 65, worked with a handful of municipalities during his career, including helping Cave Creek with incorporation in 1986. He most recently worked for the Phoenix law firm of Mariscal Weeks McIntyre & Friedlander. He died May 12.

Managing partner Gary Birnbaum, who has handled the town’s business at its recent meetings, said Farrell had a love for the town he served.

“He said, ‘I love Cave Creek,’” Birnbaum recalled about one of the last conversations he had with Farrell.

A viewing for Farrell will take place from 5‑8 p.m. May 17 at the Messenger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary, 8555 E. Pinnacle Peak Road in Scottsdale. Funeral mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. May 18 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Community, 108105 N. 84th St. in Scottsdale.

“That was a really nice moment of silence,” Mayor Vincent Francia said after remembering Farrell at the council meeting. “He deserved that.”

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com