West Lebanon, NH - Richard "Mike" Harrison Farnsworth passed away peacefully December 11, 2016. He was born in Wilder, VT and then moved to West Lebanon, NH at the age of four months. Mike had proudly been a resident of West Lebanon and student in West Lebanon schools until moving to Harvest Hills Assisted Living in Lebanon in 2015. Mike was an accomplished 100 years young, and many of us cannot imagine our community or family without his steadfast and understated presence in our lives.
After working for the Boston and Maine Railroad for forty years and retiring at the age of sixty-four, he went to work at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover, NH in the admitting office until the age of eighty-eight. He was incredibly proud to hold the honor of being the oldest employee at the time of his retirement.
Mike owned and operated Wayne's Iris Gardens for many years. He was an avid gardener with the ability to make anything grow, and he delighted assisting others in their gardening endeavors. His other talents included woodworking, reupholstering furniture, camping, and winning a challenging game of Skip-Bo. In his later years he developed a talent for quilting and fiber arts, and was often found donating items to local church bazaar sales, or Project Linus. He was a member of the Royalton #74 Odd Fellows Lodge for over 75 years; additionally, he was a longtime member of the West Lebanon Congregational Church.
He is survived by his son Wayne Farnsworth, daughter-in-law Charlene Farnsworth of Rumney,NH, and son Kevin Farnsworth of White River Jct, VT; granddaughters Grace Loughhead and her husband Jason Loughhead of Lexington, VA, Elizabeth Warner and her husband Matthew Warner of Dauphin, PA; and his cherished great-grandsons Harrison Loughhead and Henry Warner; his brother-in-law Dean Yeaton and his wife Rachel Yeaton; brother-in-law Chester Ireland; sister– in–law Rosalie Yeaton all of Plymouth, NH; and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his good card playing friend, Charlie Richardson.
He is pre-deceased by his wife of 66 years Marjorie Yeaton Farnsworth, his beloved mother Grace Jones Farnsworth, his father Alden Farnsworth, his siblings Fred (Barney) Farnsworth, Homer (Bull) Farnsworth, Ralph (Bronc) Farnsworth, Wendell (Pat) Farnsworth, Norman (Joe) Farnsworth and Hazel Johnson.
A special thank you to: The Family Practice of White River Junction, VT, and Dr. Park and Lisa, who advocated for the finest care Mike could receive--they were a blessing to him and our family. The Harvest Hill Staff and residents for the care and friendship shown to Mike while a resident there. The doctors, nurses and staff at Alice Peck Day Hospital for the care and kindness given to Mike and his family. The nurses and staff at the Lake Sunapee Hospice Association for the kindness and exceptional care and services provided by them.
A service in celebration of his life will be held Tuesday December 20, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the West Lebanon Congregational Church, 18 Maple Street, West Lebanon, NH. Ladies of the West Lebanon Congregational Church will be hosting a gathering in Mike's memory with light refreshments at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the West Lebanon Congregational Church, 18 Maple Street, West Lebanon, NH 03784, or the Upper Valley Humane Society, 300 Old Route 10 Enfield, NH 03748, or to The Lake Sunapee Hospice Association, 107 Newport Road New London, NH 03257.