Wallace J. Farr of Hanover, succumbed to cancer and died peacefully, surrounded by his family, Saturday evening, January 14, 2012 at Wheelock Terrace in Hanover.

He was born May 30, 1921 in Rochester, Vermont to Lester and Jessie (Campbell) Jordan. His mother died in his infancy, and Wallace was adopted by family friends Amber and Claude Farr. He treasured memories of his rural Vermont childhood, including Memorial Day parades on his birthday. His family moved from Rochester in 1932 to Bradford, Vermont, where he graduated from Bradford Academy.

Wallace graduated from Dartmouth College, where he made lifelong friends, in 1942. He enlisted in the USCG, and after graduating from the Coast Guard Academy Reserve Officer's School, married his college sweetheart, Barbara N. Bole in Westmount, Quebec on November 20, 1943.

Their wedding was chronicled by the Woodbury Soap Company in a photo ad campaign as an allied wartime romance, in exchange for a free honeymoon in fully-booked Manhattan, complete with a private skate at Rockefeller Center.

Until retirement from active duty in 1945, Wallace was captain of a sub-chaser in North Atlantic waters and as far south as Venezuela. In 1946, with his wife and baby daughter he returned to Bradford, where he joined Bradford Veneer and Panel, a family business. During his forty-five year career as a plywood manufacturer, he expanded the company and developed a strong commitment to employees, business colleagues and the quality of his wood products.

Wallace served as President of Associated Industries of Vermont, Director for Vermont of the National Association of Manufacturers, President of the Hardwood Plywood Association, Trustee of Dartmouth Savings Bank and Bradford National Bank, Chair of the Budget Committee and Trustee of Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, and President of the Lake Morey Association.

Longtime summer residents of Lake Morey, Wallace and Barbara loved to entertain friends and family at their turn-of-the-century cottage. Generations of children cherish idyllic memories of swimming, water skiing, and picnics. Wally treasured his peaceful retreat, and in failing health, found solace in the lake view from his old porch swing and the beautiful moss garden he tended in a pine knoll.

Wallace and Barbara moved to Hanover, N.H. in 1963. He enjoyed running and cross-country skiing on the golf course surrounding their home. And he was an avid tennis player into his early 80's. Most of all he loved the diverse group of close friends they acquired in their neighborhood and community. For many years Wally and Barbara were also winter residents of the beach community in Longboat Key, Florida.

By nature convivial, Wally was above all dedicated to his family, especially his beloved wife Barbara. He was a caring, generous father and adoring grandfather who found great joy in Kate and Matt's frequent childhood visits. In the last months of his life he was sustained by the anticipation of twin great-grandchildren. He will be profoundly missed.

Wallace was predeceased by his parents and his brothers, Richard Jordan and Bradford Farr. He is survived by his wife Barbara Farr, his daughter Sherrill Robinson and husband Jerome, and his grandchildren, Matthew C. Robinson and Katherine R. Yarbrough and husband Finn.

A memorial service will be held in the Spring. Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, NH.