Roger Farrar, 65, had a passion for blacksmithing, story-telling and family

Roger Farrar, 65, passed away recently at his home in Londonderry. He was born March 14, 1950 to Arthur and Aili Farrar of Chester.

Mr. Farrar graduated from St. Johnsbury Trade School in 1968 and was an honorary member of the class of 1968 from Chester High School.

He spent the next 47 years building great friendships in many industries, working as a driver, welder, fabricator, stone mason and farmer.

Roger Farrar

Mr. Farrar’s overriding passion and talent, however, was as a blacksmith. His other career adventures included Fairbanks Scales, Rouse’s, Lamoille Valley Railroad, Idlenot Dairy, Harris Transportation, Austin’s Memorials and his own enterprise, Farrar Welding.

Friends and family say that they have lost a great man, father and friend.

Mr. Farrar enjoyed working with animals and helping those in need. He also treasured his time in the garden, with a good book and telling a great story of the past.

Mr. Farrar is survived by his children: son Andrew and his wife Trish of Florida; daughter Angela and her son Levi Eglintine of Springfield; and son Silas of Burlington. He is also survived by brothers Ronald and Russel, both of Chester, and a large extended family and loyal group of friends.

He was predeceased by his younger brother Reginald in 1985, his father in 2004 and his mother in 2009.

A celebration of life picnic will be held – rain or shine – at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Motel in the Meadow on Route 11 West in Chester, with a service at 4 p.m. Family, friends and acquaintances are invited to bring a potluck dish and great memories. Mr. Farrar loved a good home cooked meal and is remembered as always being the first to the dinner table and the last to leave. Let’s eat!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 911, Londonderry, VT 05148 or to the Heath Gordon Scholarship Fund. To donate to the scholarship fund, make checks out to Heath Gordon Scholarship Fund, and send them to TD Bank, 48 Main St., Chester 05143. You can also click on the PayPal button at the top of the Heath Gordon Scholarship Fund Facebook. All contributions are tax deductible, so be sure to include a return address.