Tom was appointed to the Naval Academy from the state of Massachusetts.  He served for five years in the Navy and resigned in August 1961 as a Lieutenant.  After leaving the Navy, he worked for Ingersoll-Rand Co. in New York City and Miami, Florida for 20 years before joining Bergan Industrial Supply Co., also of New York.

Tom died in a tragic multi-vehicle accident in New Jersey on 7 July 1986.  An empty gasoline tanker slamming into other vehicles, which were stopped for traffic, caused the collision.  He is survived by his parents, two daughters; Mrs. Lawrence Mize and Maureen L. Farren; two sons; Thomas J. Farren Jr. and Michael P. Farrington, all residing in Maryland; a sister, Ellen P. Farren of New York City and two grandchildren.