FARMINGTON – Raymond Brigham Orr, Sr., “Ray,” 88, of Farmington, died on Jan. 17, 2017 at Franklin Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.
Raymond was born on Jan. 13, 1929 in Jay, the son of Ellis and Abbie (Hall) Orr.
He was a 1948 graduate of Wilton Academy and served in the United States Air Force from 1948-1952. He attended the University of Maine at Orono for three years and became a constable in Farmington in 1958, dedicating 21 years of his life to working in law enforcement. He became Farmington’s First Chief of Police in 1967.
Following his retirement, he raised Herefords and was a leader of the Franklin County 4-H Beef Club for over 25 years. He also served as a selectperson for the town of Farmington for nine years, five of which he served as the board’s chair. He was a life member of Wilton Masonic Lodge 156 A.F. & A.M.
He is survived by two sons: Raymond Orr, Jr., and his wife, Deborah of Farmington; David Orr of Wilton; six grandchildren: Jason Orr and his wife, Katie Preston Orr of Farmington; Jessica Merrill of New Vineyard; Scott Orr of Poland; Brian Orr, Kevin Orr and Katie Orr, all of Farmington; eight great grandchildren: Natalee Orr, Jaycee Orr, Taygen Orr of Farmington; Kilee Merrill of New Vineyard; Ceairra Orr of Van Buren; Mackenzie Orr and Madison Orr of Poland; Liam Kelly of Farmington; and a cousin, Bob Hall of E. Wilton.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Leatrice Orr on June 3, 2013, and a half-brother, Harland Hutchinson.
Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Wiles Remembrance Center 137 Farmington Falls Rd., (Rtes. 2 & 27) Farmington on Sunday Jan. 22, 2017 from 2-4 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday morning, Jan. 23, 2017 at 11 a.m. from Old South Congregational Church, Main Street, Farmington, with Rev. Dr. Richard Waddell officiating.
Public memorial graveside services will be held Monday, May 15 at 3 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery, with full military honors provided by Camp Keyes. Remembrance gifts may be given to either the Franklin County 4-H Leaders Association, 138 Pleasant St., Suite #1 Farmington, ME 04938 or to the Farmington Police Benevolent Fund, 116 Franklin Ave., Farmington, ME 04938.
my sincere condolences to the family. Ray will be greatly missed.
Sorry to hear this Raymond and David..May u find peace with your family and friends..He was a good man and a great father and friend..God be with you all..Cousin Janice
I will always treasure the years I spent working in the 4-H booth with Ray and Lee. Such good people and they will both be very missed. My sincere condolences.
An iconic member of our community, whether as Police Chief, Acting/Interim Town Manager, agricultural leader or as a great gentleman and family man. He will be greatly missed.
Rest in peace at “End of Watch”,Chief.
Thank you for your honorable service to all.
I remember Ray from the time I was a little girl. My Dad was the Town Manager Harold Bean. Ray’s office was right across from my Dads in the downstairs of the Community Center. I would go visiting all the offices when I went to the town office. My Dad always had kind and complimentary words for Ray. He will be missed by many. He made quite an impression on the town kids.
RIP
Sorry to hear of Ray’s passing condolences to his family.
So very sad to read this. You will be missed Mr. Orr. You always made my day brighter with your smile and our talks. May you rest in peace.
Good man; good cop. He was part of Farmington’s first Police Dept.
Always a main-stay of town – served as selectman for a time.
He’ll be missed by his family. RIP, Ray.
I had the greatest respect for Ray and admiration for his many accomplishments, but mostly he was a good friend. We shared many early morning “coffee times” at the old Mc Donald’s in Farmington. Since 2004, I have lived in Florida and my wife and I enjoyed many annual visits from Raymond and Leatrice. He will be missed by many – condolences to his family.
Condolences to the Orr family. I used to enjoy Ray’s stories about his fishing trips to Rock Pond. A nice man with a nice family. May he rest in peace.
Raymond and his wife Leatrice were wonderful neighbors. He always put a smile on my face whenever our paths crossed with old fashioned humor and wit. Always willing to help with anything he had and anything he could do. He will be dearly missed here on the hill! Our condolences to his entire family.
I would have liked to work for Ray on the police department, a true credit to our community and will certainly be missed
Dear Orr family, what a very sad time this is for all. My condolences go out to you knowing the pain of your loss. This is a loss felt by so many in the community and especially for those of us on the hill! We have loved having all of you as neighbors! Both of your parents were a pleasure to know and with their kind acts and self sacrificing spirit they always warmed the heart. We will miss your dad as we have your mom but we do so with many fond memories! With heartfelt sympathy.
Norie Drake
Sorry to hear of Ray’s passing on. I enjoyed talking with him over the years. RIP