Brothers, 2 Of 5 Killed In Crash, Laid To Rest: 'Love Is Eternal'

LONG ISLAND, NY — In death, just as in life, they were side by side: Their coffins were set together at the front of the church as hundreds of mourners flocked to funeral services in Port Washington Friday for two brothers killed in a head-on crash in Quogue Saturday night that left five dead.

Sobbing, holding one another's hands, their arms wrapped around one another for support, mourners — scores of them young, their faces streaked with tears — gathered in the morning sunshine to say good-bye to two young men who lost their lives, so bright with promise, in the dark of night on a Hamptons road.

James Farrell, 25, and Michael Farrell, 20, died along with their lifelong friend Ryan Kiess, 25; all grew up in Manhasset; Uber driver Farhan Zahid, 32, and Justin Mendez, 22, of Brookhaven, also died. Kiess' girlfriend of six years, Brianna Maglio, 22, was the sole survivor; she remains in critical condition but is reportedly showing signs of improvement.

According to the Fairchild Sons, Inc. Funeral Chapel: "James Patrick Farrell, Jr. and Michael O'Brien Farrell have fallen asleep in the Lord."

They are survived by their parents, Jim and Elene Farrell, and Stephen, their brother, and their loving grandmother, Katina Athineos, their "yia yia," who always guided their religious instruction, church leaders said.

The flowers surrounding the two coffins were summer flowers, sunflowers, hydrangeas, bursts of bright roses. Photos of the Farrell brothers at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church depicted young men laughing, surrounded by family and friends, excelling at sports, including lacrosse, and music. Earlier photos showed babies, so loved, doing the normal things that define a life — visiting Hershey Park, frolicking on the beach, playing in piles of autumn leaves, making memories. At the front of the church, near their coffins, helmets and other sports memorabilia stood testament to young lives, cut short.

Readings at the service began with a verse from the Corinthians, focused on love. "Love is eternal."

Letters were read from the many friends, heartbroken, who shared memories of the brothers. Of Michael, one said, "You were always so happy. You always had a smile on your face."

Another added: "You are my best friend — my first friend in Manhasset — and you will always be."

Other friends remembered attending Sunday School with the brothers, and bonding over the fact that they were all Greek.

"Mike was the life of the party everywhere he went," another wrote.

All spoke of the impact the brothers had in Manhasset, on their friends, family members, and the entire community.

Of James, a friend wrote: "Our Manhasset captain. . .our handsome Greek god."

"You were the only reason I stayed on pitch," a friend wrote. Others recalled about the nicknames he gave them and his love for Italian foods, jokes, and sayings, including pasta fagioli. "You were everyone's best friend, including me."

"You were an angel here on earth — and you did not deserve this," another said.

Faith leaders from their church remembered the boys from Sunday school, refecting on children and then young men who, even when they had their differences, always ended up unified — together.

The boys grew up in the church, attending Sunday school, and serving as altar boys, Father John Lardas said. The entire church community stands beside the brothers' heartbroken family, he said. He spoke about a Greek expression that resonates: "Everlasting be their memories."

Their brother Stephen also spoke, his voice breaking with tears: "They were my best friends," he said. "Growing up, we did everything together."

From playing lacrosse and football in the backyard in their early years and learning how to play golf together in their later years, his brothers, Stephen said, "started and finished every day with a smile on their faces."

Stephen said he was grateful he and his brothers had spent so much time together over the past year and a half, time he said he will cherish forever. "James, Michael, this isn't a farewell as much a 'See you later.' I love you."

Students from the Manhasset school choir also sang at the services. Port Washington Police provided a 13-motorcycle escort for the funeral procession to Nassau Knolls Cemetery.

The brothers' parents Jim and Elene Farrell will be establishing scholarships in memory of James and Michael. Those wishing to donate can make checks out to "The Archangel Michael Church". In the memo, write "Farrell Scholarship Fund."

According to Kiess, no services have yet been set for his son Ryan. "At this time, we are concentrating on Bri's health and well-being."

Farhan Zahid, the Uber driver, leaves behind a wife, Hifsa Ahmad and three small children.

She set up a GoFundMe page, "Help Farhan Zahid (Uber Driver) Family," that said, of her husband's death: "I'm at a tremendous loss on how to explain it to my children that their beloved father is no longer with us. The children have been asking since Sunday morning when their father is coming. 'Why is he still at work? Why isn't he coming?' They don't really understand what's going on since they're so young."

To donate, click here.

Quogue Village Police on Tuesday unveiled further information regarding a crash Saturday night that left five men dead and one woman in critical condition.

Investigators believe Mendez' excessive speed may have been a factor in the crash; police said. Marijuana was found in his vehicle and unconfirmed witness reports indicated Mendez may have turned his headlights off after police began to follow him, authorities said.

Heartbroken families left behind after five died in the head-on crash are crying out for safety improvements on the road where their loved ones lost their lives.

On Monday night, about 100 grieving friends and family gathered at his home to mourn his son and the Farrell brothers who died, Kiess said. "They're devastated. These are young adults who shouldn't have to go through this. They've lost their friend; it's terrible."

The young people called an Uber to be safe, Kiess said. "They were doing the right thing."

His son and his friends, Kiess said, "were all good kids." His son was an accountant at KPMG and had just been promoted. "They were all at the start of their careers, it was unlimited — they had their whole lives in front of them."

Through tears, Kiess said: "Our hearts are broken forever. Our lives will never be the same."

With reporting by Alessia Grunberger.