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John Gordon Farrow, former Dewey mayor

February 3, 2014

John Gordon Farrow, beloved husband of Dorothea Pease Farrow of Portland, Maine, died Friday, Jan. 17, 2014. Born in 1924 in Somerville, Mass. and raised in Arlington, John was the son of William and Minerva Farrow and brother of William.

He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, after which he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, receiving his degree in mechanical engineering in 1948. During John’s early career he worked at New England Tape Company in research and development; for MIT at the Lincoln Laboratory; and for General Electric in the aircraft turbine department.

He later worked for Koppers Company, becoming a leader in plastics technology in the molding and extrusion laboratory; for Celanese Plastics as a technical manager; and for Ford Motor Corporation as principal process engineer in the plastics development center.

After his retirement from engineering, John and Dorothea opened a seaside motel in Dewey Beach, where John became one of the founders of the town. He served as the first police commissioner and later as town mayor, and is mentioned in the book “Dewey Beach, History & Tales.”

A second retirement brought John and Dorothea to Maine. They resided in Kennebunk, Topsham, and most recently in Portland, where they enjoyed many happy visits from their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

John will be remembered by family and friends for his love of fun and sense of humor, dedication to family, civic involvement, and his innovative engineering skills, both at work and at home.

In addition to his wife Dorothea, he is survived by his son Jack and wife Kiki of Plymouth, Mich., son Paul and wife June of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; daughter Louise Kmosko and husband Andy of Ship Bottom, N.J.; daughter Susan Sempere and husband Thom of Richmond, Calif.; son Scott of Detroit, Mich.; nephew William Farrow and wife Paula of Norton, Mass.; as well as 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Though John will be greatly missed he will endure in the hearts and minds of his family.

A family memorial celebration is planned for later this year. Condolences may be sent to son Jack Farrow, 275 N. Harvey St., Plymouth, MI 48170, or by email to: jackfarrow@aol.com.

 

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