1924 – 2015

FARMINGTON — George A. Farnum Jr., “Pee-Wee,” 90, of Wilton, died Thursday, Jan. 29, at Orchard Park Rehabilitation and Living Center.

He was born on June 6, 1924, in Wilton, a son of George A. and Irena (Masterman) Farnum Sr. He was a graduate of Wilton Academy and attended the Maine School of Commerce before entering the military in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, earning the rank of staff sergeant, and served in North Africa and Italy as part of the Postal Service (528th Advanced Postal Unit).

Following the war, he worked until his retirement in the office of the Farmington Oil Company.

In June of 1946, he married Mary Orff.

For many years, he and his friends were seen walking regularly on the back roads of the Wilton area and often enjoyed weekly cribbage games. An avid tennis player, he competed over the years in numerous local amateur tournaments and played tennis well into his 80s. He was a member of the Wilton American Legion, the Wilton Lions Club, the Wilton Masonic Lodge No. 156 and the Wilton First Congregational Church.

Devoted to his family, friends and community, he will be remembered as a true Maine gentleman known for his generosity of spirit and sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by extended family members, including in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and neighbors. Respected and loved by many members of the community, he was a descendant of the original founders of Wilton, a legacy of which he was very proud.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Mary Orff Farnum of Wilton, currently a resident of Orchard Park, Farmington; their children, Jan Webber and her husband, Fred Webber, of Mount Vernon and Scott Farnum and his wife, Lynn Madden, of New Haven, Conn.; grandchildren, Dylan Farnum and his wife, Augusta Sparks Farnum, Robinson Webber, Lincoln Webber and stepgranddaughter, Lauren Holloway and her husband, Joseph Holloway; great-grandchildren, Grace O’Connell, Henry Farnum and Clementine Farnum; and stepgreat-grandchildren, Landon, Harper and Addison Holloway.

He was predeceased by his brother, Paul Farnum; and sister, Natalie Baisley.

His family is thankful for the friendly and expert care from the Oncology Staff at Franklin Memorial Hospital and for the caregivers who helped him stay in his home over the past few months.

Condolences and tributes may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com, where his video tribute may be viewed beginning on Friday afternoon.