Obituary of Roy Farnham

Roy Allen Farnham of Basking Ridge, NJ passed away at the age of 81 years on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at Morristown Memorial Hospital. Roy was born July 20, 1938 in Erie, PA and raised in Cassidaga NY. Upon graduating high school, he attended the University of Buffalo, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. During his time at the university, Roy entered Officer Candidates School and was commissioned as an Ensign on March 3, 1961. Roy was assigned to the attack carrier USS Independence as an Auxiliaries Division Officer, Engineering Watch Officer, and assistant to damage control department. Through his Navy career, he participated in the abortive Bay of Pigs operation off the coast of Cuba, as well as the Cuban Missile Crisis, and spent many months patrolling the Mediterranean. After his active duty service, Roy entered the Naval Reserves where he earned the rank of Lieutenant. After graduation and service to his country, Roy spent many years in the telecommunications industry. Roy started at AT&T in New York while living in Staten Island, where he was a management employment recruiter, district operations stall manager. In 1985, Roy transferred to Bell Laboratories where he was an Immigration and Technical employment specialist manager. In 1996, he joined Lucent Technologies Microelectronics Group Human Resources where he worked as a HR Manager Resource Planner. In July of 1998, he became a Consultant to Lucent Technologies Microelectronics Group HR in Berkley Heights, NJ, where he later retired. From February of 1999 to August 2001, Roy worked for the US Census Bureau as a Non-response follow up field operations supervisor and crew leader. During his retirement, he spent many times with his devoted fellow Patriots at the Bernardsville VFW until his time of passing. Roy also spent many hours studying genealogy, where he traced his family back to the 1600’s. Roy discovered 8 family members who were active Revolutionary Patriots. One family member of the eight was John Payne, a revolutionary war hero. In January 7, 2013 Roy registered his family in the “Sons of the American Revolution.” Roy was respected and loved by many. Roy is survived by his son Justin C. Farnham, daughter in law Sandra Farnham, and two grandsons, Justin Eric Farnham and Jason Gregory Farnham. A memorial service will be held at the Higgins Funeral Home, 752 Mountain Blvd, Watchung NJ starting at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 14 2020. In lieu of flowers, all donation can be made to Roy’s beloved Brothers in Arms, at the Bernardsville VFW Post 7858, PO Box 253 Bernardsville NJ 07924. Dad, you will be missed.