It Just Won’t Be The Same; Iconic Orono Restaurateur Bruce Farnsworth Has Passed Away

I grew up in Orono.

I've lived in four different houses on four different streets. I went to the Asa C. Adams school for elementary school and then on to Orono Middle.

Although many things in my life changed over the years, one thing has always remained the same....

Pat's Pizza is THE place in town to go, not only for pizza but to meet up with old friends. It's the first place anyone who's moved away wants to hit up for their favorite hometown pizza pie.

From their very own website:

"C.D. 'Pat' Farnsworth opened Farnsworth's Cafe in Orono, Maine in July 1931...In 1953 Pat added pizza to his menu. The fresh dough pizza, topped with a special sauce developed by Pat and his wife Fran, it was an instant success. Pat's change in the menu transformed Farnsworth Cafe into Pat's Pizza. Over the years Pat's Pizza has become a favorite of University of Maine students. In fact, it has been said that an education at the University is not complete without a Pat's Pizza."

I'm old enough to remember when those little jukeboxes on the wall actually worked! And I'm old enough to have been playfully teased, hundreds of times, by Bruce Farnsworth.

Bruce was the son of Pat's Founding Father, Pat Farnsworth. He and his entire family have run that place since it opened. And through the years, Bruce got to know everyone who walked through the doors of Pat's.

When his father passed away in 2003, at the age of 90, Bruce took over the business of running the Orono shop. He was around for every birthday party, date, and game celebration that I ever went to at Pat's.

He had this twinkle in his eye as he'd playfully walk by and tap you on the shoulder and then grin when you looked around to see who it was, pretending not to know anything about it while he walked away.

Most recently, he was there when I brought my family in on October 7th to celebrate an early birthday for my youngest daughter. He did the same thing to her.

That's why the news that was shared via the Pat's Pizza Orono Facebook Page really hit home today.

Bruce Farnsworth has passed away.

He was someone I always looked for when I would visit. And I can tell you, it just won't be the same without him.

Thankfully, he has an amazing family and I have no doubt they will carry on the legacy both Pat and subsequently Bruce created in the Orono restaurant.

Hundreds of condolences from all over have been posted on the Pat's Pizza Facebook page since the announcement of Bruce's passing.

One woman wrote: "Sending all the love to your family. Seeing that twinkle in his eye as he smiled at us from behind the counter will forever be a favorite memory."

Another person said "Always a pleasure talking with him. Always made you feel at home. Will truly be missed by many!"

And another, "Such sad news. So many memories over the past 40+ years. Thinking of you all. The Farnsworth family has touched so my lives over the years…..truly lost a great one. To the Pat’s Pizza families, my Heart goes out to you all."

We offer the Farnsworths and all of the Pat's Pizza family, in Orono and around the state our deepest condolences.

Looking for the best Pizza options around? Pat's is on this list, but check out who else made the cut!