William (Bill) Rogers Farnham (September 1953 - June  1990)

Bill arrived at the Espanola Public School in 1953 and stayed for 36 years teaching generations of grade 7 and 8 students. 



His obituary sums up well his contributions to the school and the community and fondness with which he was regarded by all who knew him.    "Born and raised in the Ottawa Valley Region in Eastern Ontario, Bill moved to Espanola to take a teaching position at Espanola Public School in 1953. A teacher of grades 7 and 8 for 36 years before retiring from A.B.Ellis School, “Mr. Farnham“ often taught more than one generation of local students. Bill was also an active and long-time volunteer with the Espanola Little Theatre. Last year, he was honoured by the Province of Ontario for his 50 years of community service to the organization. Bill's loyalty, work ethic, and sense of community are all reflected in the many great, enduring friendships made through ELT. An avid outdoorsman, Bill loved to hike and snowshoe, fish and duck hunt, and boat and canoe in his adopted Northern Ontario environs. ....


.... In retirement, he developed his interest in nature photography and would often walk his favorite trails in search of the perfect shot with his camera. He helped instill a respect and love of nature, sport, and volunteerism in his family, along with an appreciation for music, particularly jazz. This was nourished by a classic 78's jazz collection he maintained for many years: Bill's records playing loudly from the basement stereo was not an unusual sound coming from the family home. Bill was a loving husband to Ruth, his wife of just over 40 years, and was deeply devoted to her health as it began to fail in the years before her passing. He demonstrated the patience, care and compassion he tried to bring to both his teaching and community life."


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