In Loving Memory

Dennis Farmer

8/12/1943 — 7/8/2024

Partnered-Hearts

A Life Remembered

Obituary

Farmer, Dennis Anthony of Mesa, Arizona age 80 passed away Monday, July 8th, 2024. Dennis is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Mary Theresa (Maple) Farmer and their three sons, Mark (Sheila) Farmer, Brian (Julie) Farmer and Chris (Kristi) Farmer; seven grandchildren Maggie (Tyler) Kollodge, Samantha (Matthew) Messina, Mikinzie (Braden) Ridgewell, Maxwell Farmer, Brayden (Madeline Kelley) Farmer, Charlie
Farmer, Lucia Farmer; and 4 great-grandchildren Anthony Messina, Teddy Kollodge, Timothy Messina and Molly Kollodge. Dennis is also survived by his brother Robert (Patricia) Farmer of Denver Colorado and their two daughters Katie (Todd) Seymour and Jenny Farmer (Forever in our hearts) and two granddaughters Rylan and Teagan Seymour.

Born Anthony Jerome Famighetti Jr. in Irvington, New Jersey on August 12, 1943, to Rose Marie (Verrone) and Anthony J. Famighetti. In 1950, the family name was changed to Farmer and AJ Jr. became Dennis Anthony Farmer.

Dennis graduated from Our Lady of the Valley High School in Orange, New Jersey and went on to study liberal arts at the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1964. He met his wife to be Mary Maple while on a year abroad study program in Rome Italy with Loyola University. After graduation, Dennis and Mary moved to St. Louis Missouri, where Dennis would begin a long and successful business career with the 3M Company. His 34-years with 3M and Imation would see Dennis, Mary and their 3 boys reside in 10 different cities and 4 different countries.

In business, Dennis was recognized as a leader by example who cared about his employees, colleagues and customers. During his 34 years with 3M/Imation, he held more than 20 different jobs of increasing responsibility and was highly regarded for his empathy, humility, sense of humor and his ability to put life in proper perspective.

His greatest joy was his wife Mary, the love of his life. Together they dedicated the past 30 years to their family, especially their 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, showering them with love, wisdom and the sense of adventure that brought the two together over 60 years ago. There will be a private inurnment ceremony on July 31, 2024, at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona for the immediate family.

In Memory

Moments to treasure

Messages of Love

From family and friends

Chuck Oesterlein

I had the opportunity to work with Dennis both at 3M and Imation and he was without a doubt the most respectful executive that I worked with. Strong and aggressive regarding what the business required but always respectful of fellow employees and customers.

Sheila Farmer

To my dear Chippy. Chippy is the nick name Maggie gave Dennis 30 years ago and it has stuck ever since. It is 7/22 and I am sitting here in your house in Mesa with Mark and Nana Mary. Mark let me use your office chair so I would be comfortable working. I sat in the chair and everything came flooding in all at once. It’s a big black cushy chair and I feel like you are giving me a big hug. If so, thank you I need it. I will always remember 2 things most about you. Your smile and your eyes. When you smiled the whole room lit up around you. You saved that big smile for when it really mattered. You saw happiness and love or maybe something funny and it was genuine. Those were your true moments of complete gratitude and joy for the life you were given. Your eyes told us what you were thinking. They could also smile or scorn or get sad or mad and you didn’t ever have to say a thing, the eyes revealed you. We celebrate you every day as we look through the 100 photo albums of your life. You traveled all over the world, met all kinds of interesting people and lived your best life. What a lucky guy. We will se you again one day in heaven. Lots of love. Sheila

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