WEST ROXBURY, Mass. – Michael J. Farina Sr., 78, of Avon died Wednesday, Aug. 1, at the VA Medical Center.

He was born April 18, 1929, in Hartford, Conn., a son of Andrew and Lucia (Casserino) Farina. He was educated in Hartford schools and went on to attend an engineering school in Hartford after high school.

After his service with the U.S Navy, he married Barbara Durost in Hartford, Conn., where he worked for Hartford Electric Light Co. They later moved to Massachusetts, where he owned a Roto-Rooter franchise. In 1976, after 11 years, he moved with his family to Avon. He worked for Cat Lumber and G.H. Bass.

He was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Phillips, where he served as a deacon. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed prospecting, particularly metal detecting. He also enjoyed cooking and time spent with his family. The consummate teacher, he continued his instructing even while in the hospital.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara of Avon; two sons, Bruce Farina, and his wife, Marcia, of Rowley, Mass., and Michael Farina Jr., and his wife, Bambi, of Turner; two daughters, Laura Bellemore, and her husband, Michael, of Gilmanton, N.H., and Nancy Wilkins, and her husband, David, of Phillips; a brother, Paul Farina, and his wife, Peggy, of Keystone Heights, Fla.; a sister, Josephine Neary, and her husband, Francis, of East Hartford, Conn.; eight grandchildren, Nate and Briana Wilkins, Nathan Brown, Michael and Melissa Olson and Jennifer, Kristina and Michael Bellemore; several nieces and nephews, including a beloved niece, Maryanne Sibley of Florida.

He was predeceased by siblings Charles, Mary, Anne and Joseph.