1933 – 2014

AUBURN — James W. “Jim” Farley, 81, of Farmington, passed away peacefully with his wife, Lillian, by his side, at the Hospice House in the early morning hours of Monday, Sept. 1.

He was born on April 7, 1933, in Bristol, Conn., a son of Alexander and Dorothy (Horton) Farley. His family moved to Kittery in 1940, and he was a graduate of Traip Academy, Class of 1950. Jim was a decorated veteran, having served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He earned the Combat Infantry Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Vermont. From 1957 to 1963, he was employed as a store manager at W.T. Grant Co. From 1963 to 1972, he was a materials manager for Fonda Container of St. Albans, Vt., and later at Standard Packaging of Union, N.J. He became an account executive for C.H. Robinson in Portland, where he was employed for nearly 20 years, and retired from Solon Manufacturing Co., as national sales manager in 2003.

Jim was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Farmington and was a certified lay speaker in four annual Methodist conferences: Maine; Troy, N.Y.; Central New Jersey and New England since 1963. He was also a volunteer chaplain at Franklin Memorial Hospital. He enjoyed temporary appointments in many churches, including in North Vienna, North Sebago and Roselle, N.J.

Jim was gifted musically and played in various local concert bands in Portsmouth, N.H., and St. Albans, Vt. He taught private lessons on brass instruments and was fortunate to have been able to “sit in” with many dance bands of the late 1940s and 1950s, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmie Dorsey, Harry James, Ralph Flanagin, Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington.

Jim was also affectionately nicknamed “Pop” and was referred to as “Pop” or “Pops” by many of his children’s friends, a title mutually enjoyed as he helped fill a paternal role in many of their lives.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lillian, of Farmington, whom he married on July 29, 2007, at the home of the Rev. Lloyd Leeman; three sons, James A. Farley and his wife, Debbie, of Chesterville, Jonathan A. Farley and his wife, Luan, of Scarborough and Joel A. Farley of Ellsworth; a daughter, Lisabeth G. Donnell, of Livermore Falls; his “extended family,” stepsons, William H. Hoyt Jr. of Dixfield and Steve Hoyt and his wife, Mel, of Uganda; several grandchildren and their wives; and great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Ruth Darling Farley, whom he married on Oct. 6, 1955, and who died on Sept. 22, 2001; a brother, Fred Farley; and a grandson, Benjamin Donnell.

Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.