FARMINGTON – Gary J. Sweatt, 73, passed away on Wednesday March 8, 2023, at his home in Farmington after a short yet terminal illness surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on September 24, 1949, the son of Wendell A. and Dorothy J. Sweatt. He graduated Mt. Blue high school before attending the University of Maine at Orono where he studied Electrical Engineering. After working as an E.M.T. he founded I.M.A.C. in 1979 and ran the machine shop for the next 44 years. He also taught snowboarding at Sugarloaf in the late 1990s. Gary developed a love for pyrotechnics while working with the Industry fireworks and was a member of Pyrotechnics Guild International for over twenty years. He also enjoyed being a member of the HAM radio community as a long-time licensed operator. He will be remembered for his verily altruistic nature towards teaching and as an animal lover.
In light of this, Gary asked instead of any flower arrangements or gift baskets to instead make a donation in his name to the Franklin County Animal Shelter to carry on his love to help pets in need. Donations can be sent to Franklin County Animal Shelter, 550 Industry Road, Farmington, ME. 04938. (207) 778-2638.
He is survived by Royce Smith, Rob Nadeau, Adam and Megan Zimmerschied, Mercy Hanson, Mark Kemp and John Stannard.
A memorial will be set at a later date.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, ME 04938
I am saddened to learn of Gary’s passing. I knew him years ago, in the early 70s. He was an extremely intelligent individual and I am sure will be missed greatly.
Gary was a great guy. He was very interesting to talk to.
RIP Gary.
Gary and I were next-door neighbors in Gannett Hall during my Freshman year at the University of Maine in 1969 – 70. Gary was absolutely brilliant, yet totally self-effacing and generous to a fault. He was truly one of the “good guys” and it is my privilege to have known him.
Mark Holland
UMO Class of 1973
Gary and I spent started kindergarten together with his mother as our teacher. Following that we were classmates throughout our elementary and high school years. He was an extremely intelligent person who wowed the judges at our 5th grade science fair by building a tv camera and screen and allowing the judges to view themselves as they walked through the Mallet school gym. The stories that could be told of the “hijinks” that our class experienced during our 12 years together especially in Mr. Prentis Chemistry class would make a great novel or movie. So sorry to hear of his passing, he was truly a unique person.
Adrien Pillsbury
God bless all those who knew Gary. Nice man
I didn’t know you, but GOD BLESS YOU. Everyone spoke very highly of you. I just wanted to show you and your family a little respect. RIP.
I was manager at ColorPlant on Front St (now gone), a div of Knowlton & McLeary Printers. Gary would come diagnose and fix our electronic problems whenever we needed him. He was brilliant and eccentric. He’d drink cold, 2 day old coffee and call it delicious! He was fun to be with.
Sorry to see you go Gary, I always enjoyed your company. You certainly gave this town color. I will never forget those Jalapeno Martinis at Fiddleheads. rest in peace my friend
My brother John and I ran Perkins Machine in Madison. Have known Gary for perhaps the last 30 years or so. Always found him honest and straightforward. Willing to help in any way he could. Truly a genius in his own right. Concerning high power math and computer logic, he could easily cut circles around most yet we always found him very humble. I look forward to his shop continuing their work and will miss him terribly in the years to come.
Dan Low-Madison