LUBEC and MILLINOCKET – The 53-year love affair of husband and wife ended July 16, 2010, when after a brief illness John Farmer passed away surrounded by family at Millinocket Regional Hospital. John was born March 6, 1934, in Lubec, son of Laura (Davis) and Sidney Farmer. John graduated from Lubec High School in 1952. He worked for Morrison Construction and Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. before joining the Marines in 1954. After discharge in 1956 he returned to Lubec, where he worked for A&P until being transferred to Millinocket, where he met Dodo, the love of his live and his “rock.” John and Dodo were married in 1957. John worked for A&P as a stock boy, assistant manager and manager until 1980, when he and Iley Walston became partners and opened Farmer’s Red & White. John retired in 1991 and went on to enjoy retirement in Florida. In his youth John enjoyed many sports, from basketball and baseball in high school to catching for the Dixie Eagles in adult softball. John was an avid fan of the Red Sox and Celtics. He picked up golf later in life, and in Florida he was challenged by golf, bowling and shuffleboard. In addition to his passion for sports, John had many additional interests. He was a member of Washington Masonic Lodge No. 37, Lubec, and was a member of Lubec Lions Club. As a man of faith, John served as a deacon and president of Christian Temple Church, Lubec. John was forever ready to help the youth in his community. He was actively involved in the athletic and music booster clubs of Lubec High School, where he provided volunteer service and financial support. He also performed in many minstrel shows and loved being the center of attention. John enjoyed many summers at Indian Lake, pulling his kids and their friends on water skis. John leaves his loving wife of 53 years, Dodo (Boutaugh) Farmer; his daughter, Cathy and her son, Albert, of Skowhegan; his son, Tim of Smithfield, R.I.; his daughter, Tricia and her husband, Dino, and their three children, Alexander, Hayley and Elizabeth of Haverhill, Mass.; his sister, Eileen and her husband, Jim; seven brothers and sisters-in-law; many nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by their first-born child, Jalene; his parents, Laura and Sidney; and his brothers, Sid and Basil. Services are being held 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at Faith Baptist Church, Millinocket, with a reception for family and friends after the service. Services are being held 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, at Christian Temple Church, Lubec. Burial with military honors will be immediately after the service at Greenlawn Cemetery, Lubec. A reception will be held afterward at Mary S. Pike Hall at Christian Temple Church, Lubec. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation in John’s memory to Christian Temple Church, P.O. Box 190, Lubec, ME 04652 or Faith Baptist Church, Massachusetts Avenue, Millinocket, ME 04462. Arrangements are in care of McClure Family Funeral Services, Machias and Lubec.
JOHN FARMER
