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By Lisa Laflin
FARMINGTON — Fred O Smith sat on a rickety stool in Old Ford Antiques as the stories began.
He first talked about his father, who was a president of the Farmington Rotary. It was he who taught Fred O about service and about the power of Rotary to change lives. So much so, in fact, that after Fred O joined Rotary in 1966 and balanced life in the military with attending Rotary, he learned that his father had not missed a meeting in 10 years. “I can do that, that is an admirable goal,” he said.
After he met the 10-year goal, Fred O never stopped, and in 43 year he’s never missed a meeting, a milestone to celebrate as the energetic 84-year-old assumes the presidency of the Farmington Rotary club a half a century after his father did.
“My father taught me to embrace differences, saying, I may not agree with you, but I defend your right to your opinion,” Fred O said. The viewpoint has served him well in his professional and civic life, he said.
As he sat in the store, greeting customers, Fred O painted a picture of a life punctuated by military service, service to his community, devotion to his wife, who passed away in 2013, and a passion for education. An abbreviated list of his accomplishments includes:
* Joined the New Vineyard Fire Department in 1961, and still is an active firefighter; * Historian of the American Legion post; * Member of Old South Congregational Church and is a deacon, property trustee, representative to Farmington Ecumenical Ministry; * Zoning Board and Budget Committee mrmnrt; * 21 years on Maine Republican State Committee;
He served active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1960 and the Reserves until 1979, rising to the rank of lieutenant commander and recognized with medals, including the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1956 with a degree in history and government and earned a masters in political science from the University of Vermont when he was 65.
He worked in the wood-turning business, and while that career is long behind him, he creates custom-made jelly cupboards and hutches that he sells at craft fairs and galleries.
Fred O and his wife, Mable, had three children and eight grandchildren.
When asked why he joined Rotary, said that Rotary is a great group of professional people who believe in service. There is camaraderie and it inspires youth. He noted that the Farmington Rotary Club has active youth clubs in every level: Early Act (Elementary); Next Act (Later Elementary); Impact (Middle School); Interact (High School); and Rotaract (College).
He also noted that Rotary is an organization that gets things done. For example, Rotary has invested heavily in eradicating polio and ensuring clean water throughout the world.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Fred O looks forward to leading the Farmington Rotary Club. His theme is “Continue to be an inspiration and inspire youth, our future.”
Most who are approaching 90 would be slowing down and enjoying more restful times, but as he gets up to greet a customer, it’s obvious it’s simply not in his nature.
PHOTO: Glenn Kapiloff, outgoing Farmington Rotary president, welcomes Fred O Smith as President of the Farmington Rotary Club. (Submitted photo)
