Sutton – Alden “David” Farnham, Jr., passed away at home on February 18, 2022, after a few years of declining health. He was born in Gray, Maine to Alden and Dorothy (Furbish) Farnham, and grew up in Westborough.
He was a professional engineer, graduating from URI, and held an MBA from Northeastern University. His work was primarily in high tech and manufacturing, traveling around the world for Digital.
David was able to design and build most anything from boats to furniture. He was an accomplished amateur archaeologist, serving as treasurer for Early Sites Research Society. A veteran of the United States Coast Guard and Merchant Marine, he loved spending time at the ocean.
He is survived by his wife, Pamela Gurney Farnham, their two sons, Daniel and his wife Britany, and Michael and his wife Ashley, all of Sutton. He also leaves two daughters, Mary Cooper and her husband Matthew of Swansea, MA and Laura McGinn and her husband John of Dunedin, FL. He had 15 grandchildren, David and Dory Cooper, Matthew and Sarah McGinn, Mason and Emma Farnham, Aiden and Hayleigh Lacava, Mackenzie, Tucker, Eleanor, Shepherd, Judea, Cillian, and Finnegan Farnham. He leaves his sister Barbara Grant of Southbury, CT, a brother John Farnham of Juneau, AK, a sister-in-law Lori Gurney DeLisle and her husband James of Westminster, as well as nieces, nephews, and several cousins.
After his retirement, Dave spent hours volunteering at Waters Farm in West Sutton, putting his engineering skills to work compiling infrastructure plans and working on a variety of maintenance and research projects. Most of all, he loved being Grampy Dave to his grandchildren; spending time with them drawing, coloring, and playing games.
The family would like to thank all his doctors at UMass Medical who never stopped trying to improve the quality of his life, his Tri-Valley aides Jess and Sue, and the Town of Sutton emergency responders from the Fire, Police, and Ambulance.
A private burial will take place at New Howard Cemetery in Sutton.
A public memorial service being held at Waters Farm on April 30th, 2022, at 12 noon.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Dave may be made to Waters Farm Preservation, Inc., 4 Uxbridge Rd., Sutton, MA 01590.
Mulhane Home For Funerals of Millbury assisted with arrangements.
