TRESCOTT – Don Furth passed away Sunday morning, March 11, 2007. He was with his wife of 56 years, Sue. Don was born June 30, 1924, in Los Angeles, where he also was raised. He served in the Navy as a radio technician’s mate, 1st class on the USS Lowndes in the Pacific during World War II. He returned to California to complete his college degree in mathematics at University of California – Berkley. He met Sue, in 1949, at Fallen Leaf Lake near Lake Tahoe, where they were both employed for the summer, and they have been together ever since. Don joined IBM in 1954 at the threshold of the age of computer technology. He was transferred to New York in 1958, where he and Sue raised their three children, Jane, Alan and Paul. When Don retired from a fulfilling and innovative career at IBM in 1986, he and Sue moved to Surry, where they reveled in life. Don always served as the deep keel, steady and constant for his family, friends, work and community. He had a reputation as an illustrious volunteer while serving with the Blue Hill Ambulance Service, Blue Hill Heritage Trust, WERU, Blue Hill Memorial Hospital, The Grand Theatre, Audubon Expedition Institute, AARP Tax Filing Services and the Hancock County Democrats. Don provided invaluable counsel and support for the Cobscook Community Learning Center founded by his son, Alan, and others from the Downeast region. Throughout Don’s life, he was known as a man of integrity and dignity. He liked working behind the scenes, tending to the job at hand, with meticulous attention to detail, expansive knowledge, skill, wisdom, and always, great humor, kindness and love. Don was an excellent teacher on the tennis court, a shrewd cribbage player and a total joy to sit with and have conversation. All who knew him hold a small archive of well-crafted letters, birthday limericks and words of encouragement. Don loved music his entire life. In retirement, he learned to play the hammered dulcimer, and was a much beloved member of the Black Socks String Band with his son, Alan; grandson, Sam; and many other friends. In December 2005, Don and Sue relocated to Trescott, where they enjoyed life surrounded by their loving family. Don is survived by his wife, Sue; his brother, Dick and family; son, Paul; daughter, Jane; and son, Alan and wife, Katie MacGregor. Don is lovingly cherished by his grandchildren, Sam Furth and wife, Rachel Bell, Abe Furth and wife, Heather, George Furth-Cassidy, Charlie Furth-Cassidy and fiancee, Rachel Coffin, Paul MacGregor Vinzani; and great-grandchildren, Finn, Inez and Jonah Bell Furth. This kind and loving gentleman leaves behind an enormous circle of family and friends. A memorial celebration of Don’s life will be held noon April 22, at Cobscook Community Learning Center. Donations may be made in honor of Don’s love of life, music, and learning to Don Furth Memorial Fund, Cobscook Community Learning Center, 10 Commissary Point Road, Trescott, ME 04652 or www.thecclc.org Funds will be used for construction of the Don Furth Memorial Bandstand and to provide scholarships for participation in Cobscook Community Learning Center activities.
DON FURTH
