Ronald Arthur Farr Sr.

Portland, ME – Ronald Arthur Farr, Sr., 87, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 29, 1938, in Portland, Maine, the son of Arthur and Mary Farr. He graduated from Portland High School in 1958, where he met his future wife Judith A. Dellatorre at a Cheverus dance. They settled in the North Deering area of Portland where they raised their family. He then began his 40-yr career for the Portland Press Herald, where he eventually retired.

Ron excelled as an athlete in high school basketball and baseball. He later discovered his true passion in 1958, when he was asked to umpire a Portland Little League game. In 1962 he was invited to coach his own team—marking the beginning of an extraordinary 62-year journey coaching and mentoring generations of children throughout the city of Portland.

During his remarkable career, Ron led his teams to 18 city championships, 3 state championships, and in 2007 came within one win of advancing to the Little League World Series. He treasured and admired his wife’s lifelong support by awarding her as his official “Player of the Year” in 2017, just months before her passing.

Ron took immense pride in treating every player as an individual. He recognized their strengths and guided them through their challenges. No child was ever overlooked—everyone played in every game, regardless of their talent, showing them that wins and losses were always secondary to character, growth, and inclusion. This philosophy earned Ron deep and lasting respect throughout the Greater Portland community.

In recognition of his lifelong dedication, the Portland City Council unanimously voted on April 30, 2022, to rename a city Little League field in his honor, while celebrating his 60th year of coaching. He was later inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame on October 27, 2024.

Ron always looked forward to any cookout or family gatherings, which inevitably ended with the ritual of an intense card game of scat. He appreciated the small things in life—every cup of coffee, all things sweet, and any home-cooked meal. Most of all, he loved watching his children and grandchildren excel in the sports and life he cherished so deeply.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to coaches & friends Jay Lowe, Melvin Thomas, Stephen Schwartz, Ronnie Crosby, Tim Eisenhardt, the late Ryan Jordan and Ed Goldman and the entire Portland Little League community for their unwavering support, companionship, and friendship throughout the decades of Ron’s coaching career, both on and off the field.

Ron was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his children Lori Farr, Lisa Marino (& John), Amanda Milbury; Ronald Farr, Jr. (& Jane); his three cherished grandchildren, Aaron, Ryan, and Andrew Farr, his loving brother, William Farr, of New Britian, Connecticut and several nephews and nieces.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife Judy of 56 years, and his loving brothers Timothy “Buzzy” Farr and John “Jackie” Farr.

To keep the spirit of Portland Little League alive, please consider donating to P.O Box 10586, Portland ME 04104 or Venmo @Portland-LittleLeague-1.

At the family’s request, there will be a private celebration of Ron’s life. There will then be a public celebration of life & cookout in the spring at the ‘Ron Farr Field” in Portland. The date & details will be shared on the Portland Little League website once finalized.

Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign Ron’s online guest book.