FARMINGTON – David Pearson Mills, age 78, of Farmington, died on January 26th at Franklin Memorial Hospital where he had been a patient for two weeks.
Born in Farmington in October 1945, David was the son of S. Peter Mills, Jr. and Katherine Coffin Mills. Educated in Farmington, Portland, and Gorham schools, he returned to Farmington in 1963 to live with his grandmother, Flora Mills, and be her caregiver. It was the place where in most years since his grandmother’s death in 1964 he continued to reside until his death.
As a teenager and as a young man in the 1960’s he worked at local dairy farms, for area logging contractors, at wood turning mills, and for a septic system contractor. Later he worked at Wilton Tanning and at G.H. Bass. He then worked for many years for his good friends and neighbors Dennis and Clare Bailey Liwski at various enterprises, including their appliance and refrigeration business.
Throughout his life he was quick to lend a helping hand to others in need, plowing their driveways without charge, providing a ride to medical appointments and helping out at the Care and Share Food Closet.
He was a personable raconteur on many subjects of interest, a companionable conversationalist who loved history and country music.
David is survived by his siblings, Peter Mills and wife Nancy, sister Janet Mills, brother Paul Mills and partner, Shanelle Lake, and sister Dora Anne Mills, as well as Peter’s children Kate, Alice and Ruth and their children; Dora’s children, Anthony David Mills Fiori, who was his namesake and godson, and Julia Katherine Mills Fiori; and Janet’s stepdaughters, Alison, Coleen, Tammy, Kristen and Lisl, and their children. He was predeceased by his parents, his uncle William Mills and his aunt Virginia Mills for whom he was a caretaker for several years, and his brother-in-law Stan Kuklinski.
David had many hobbies, but most of all he loved the town of Farmington, where he will be especially missed.
Family and friends are invited to David’s visitation Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 11 am to 1 pm at Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd, in Farmington, where his service will take place at 1 pm. A reception will follow immediately after the service. Burial will take place in the family lot in Fairview Cemetery in the spring. Please visit David’s Book of Memories at www.wilesrc.com to leave words of sympathy, reflections or photos. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David’s name to the Care and Share Food Closet, PO Box 38, West Farmington, Maine 04992. Honored to be caring for the family of David P. Mills is Wiles Remembrance Center – Farmington.
My fondest memory of my first cousin, David (his mom and my dad were brother and sister), is when I was 10 and he was 12. I visited the family for a week when they lived in Gorham and I in Washington, DC. David had learned to play the drums which I thought was the coolest thing ever! AND he turned me on to Rock ‘n Roll music with Elvis Presley’s “Jail House Rock” – I came home a changed person!! Throughout the years I observed what an amazing and loving heart David had. He never bragged but always gave of himself to anyone needing loving help. I will always hold him in my heart with deep love.
everyone that lived in Farmington should remember seeing David often over the years in town
Always wore a smile. He was very down to earth and seemed quite kind.
I have a deep love and respect for David . We, on many occasions, have reminisced about the “old days” . My family lived “ across “ the field from Davids grandparents. As I studied X-Ray Technology, and was allowed to work part time at our local hospital Davids grandmother was having a hip pinning and I had to go to the OR to take pictures, we talked about that. As well as his grandfather walking out back almost daily checking on “things”. His grandfather also had a German Shepherd Dog (;my mom , Margaret Sinski) ) used to tell me about that went from the law office to the post office to get the mail and take it back. David loved to hear these stories. Plus our mothers played tennis together for a number of years. We had many fun hours just talking. I will miss David very much, and will hold our talks very dear indeed. With all my sympathy, Bonnie Sinski Atwell
David was my friend, and always greeted me with a, “Hi Rusty.” I sometimes gave him a ride home when we met in the store. He always had a story. Mine is that I was escorted to his garage to see his Corvette. How his eyes shone when he showed it to me. He was one of a Farmington family whom I am pleased and proud to call my friends.
My condolences to the Mills family.
I will never forget David Mills and his kindness.. He came to my house a few days before Thanksgiving with a lovely Thanksgiving fixings box. Going thru cancer treatments that holiday season a Thanksgiving Dinner was far from my mind. When I thanked him thru tears,he said” I just wanted to do something nice for someone in need.” RIP David and thank you again.I will never forget your kindness.
My heart goes out to the Mills family. David was a great friend.
A friendly guy with a smile always. I liked David. A colorful character that will surely be missed in Farmington. My condolences to the Mills Family. RIP David.
Rocky was such a huge help to me when I bought the Corner Store in Chesterville years back from the crook Norman Balsamo. Rocky would help with everything from plumbing to electrical. He had a heart of gold… I loved his style!! A dear dear friend for sure. God bless you buddy.
My deepest sympathy to David’s family.
His love of old cars is where our paths crossed and on that we had an unending jabber of stories and laughs. Smiles before handshakes. Rev it up old boy and safe home.
Condolences to all of you in David’s family. May he rest in peace.
My deepest sympathy to the Mills Family. David and I were “elementary school pals” and I spent hours at their residence as I lived on Lincoln Street, a couple of houses down the street. My fondest memory of David was playing Navy in the “little” building” at his grandmother’s place on High Street. My condolences to David’s siblings, may he rest in peace.
Although David was good a a lot of things including acts of kindness, in TV news reports, he didn’t seem to look completely at ease wearing a tuxedo at his sister Janet’s first inauguration, but he did it. I, like others, will miss seeing him walking around Farmington and talking with him. God speed David..
Condolences & prayers for all the family. Hang on to the love & good memories.
My sincerest condolences to the Mills family. David will be missed!
Sending prayers and sympathy to David’s family and friends. He will surely be missed.
So many memories with david from years ago. He spent a lot of time at our house with mom and dad. I spent about everyday at his house when i was a young teenager. David helped me get my grades up. Sit and watched rifleman and other westerns ,and of course touring around in his 66 chrysler newport . David was a friend RIP
Whenever I would meet up with David, he would always make me feel like a special friend and someone he truly cared about. I was so honored when his brother Paul asked me to sing at David’s 50th birthday. I would stop and visit him at his home every now and then. I will always think of him with warm thoughts when I walk by his house. One thing that meant the world to me was how good he was to my mom at Sandy River nursing home. He treated her way better than most people that work there.❣️ My sincere condolences to David’s family.