Richard Somers "Dick" Farr

Richard Somers Farr (Dick), of Nashua, NH, passed away peacefully at home on August 9, 2024 at the age of 94. Born in Providence, RI, on May 13, 1930, to Edward and Mildred Farr, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Inman Farr, and his siblings E. Lincoln Farr III and Dorothy Farr Booth. Dick grew up in Newton Centre, MA. He was an active person who enjoyed fishing, golfing, swimming, skiing, gardening, and boating for most of his life. Dick was passionate about antique cars, and for many years he owned a 1963 Rambler convertible, which he frequently entered in regional car shows. An avid Red Sox fan, he watched stars like Ted Williams and his contemporaries slug the ball during the golden age of baseball. At age 12, Dick even traded a fishing lure for an autographed baseball from Ted Williams. He was very proud of that.

Dick leaves behind his beloved wife of 30 years, Mary E. Farr, of Nashua. Together they spent their middle and later years in a partnership filled with love, compassion, shared interests, and mutual respect. For many years they traveled to Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii and other places in the United States. They enjoyed winter months in Florida and summers at their cottage on Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Dick and his late wife raised four children in Burlington, MA: Jane Farr Burns (Jeff) of Albuquerque, NM, Lori Farr of Rochester, NY, Lynn Clough (Steve) of Bedford, NH, and Peter Farr (Tonya), of Los Angeles, CA. He leaves behind four step-children as well: Dick Raisanen (Sue), of Nashua, Carol Meedzan (Leo), of New Ipswich, NH, Debbie Rotkiewicz (Dale) of Hollis, NH, and David Raisanen of Merrimack, NH. Dick and Mary shared 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, and kept busy celebrating their birthdays, weddings and graduations throughout the years.

Until his retirement in 1992, Dick assembled and repaired air compressors for the PK Lindsay Co, formerly of Everett, MA, and Deerfield, NH. The closing of the Everett plant led to a move to Chester, NH in 1979. He moved to Nashua after he and Mary married in 1993.

While we celebrate Dick for his happy spirit, kindness, patience, humility, and loving nature, we also remember him for his steadfastness and flexibility while coping with the main challenge in his life: his hearing disability. As a toddler, he was diagnosed with a hearing disorder, and lived as a deaf man in a hearing world his entire life. Always persevering, Dick’s childhood was marked by years of speech therapy and lip-reading instruction. He wore hearing aids, and communicated by speaking and reading lips. He never defined himself by his disability or let it interfere with his interests and desire to participate in work, sports, church, the Lion’s Club, the Rambler Club, the Nashua Fly Casting Association, and any other activities that interested him.

Finally, no hearing loss could get in the way of Dick being a great dad. He always provided for his family, and he did great dad things like teaching his kids to ride bicycles, fish, and garden. By example, he taught them to be responsible and to work hard. He did thoughtful things like creating a skating rink from snow and water in the front yard, and digging a snow cave during one of the many snowstorms in the 1960’s. He lived a full, rich life, and modeled that for his four children.

The family would like to thank Dick’s caregivers at Visiting Angels, who dedicated themselves to Dick’s care with kindness and love.

Relatives and friends are invited to Dick's visitation on TUESDAY, August 13th from 10 AM until 12 Noon at ROCHETTE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 21 Kinsley Street, Nashua. His Funeral Service will follow in the Funeral Home at 12 Noon. Burial to follow in Edgewood Cemetery, 107 Amherst Street, Nashua.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, MT, one of Dick’s favorite charities to support.

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