Late Orono, Maine Pizza Maker Honored With Street Naming

When Orono pizza maker Carl "Bruce" Farnsworth passed away in November of 2023, there were many, including myself, who thought Pat's Pizza in Orono would never quite be the same.

Read More: Pat's Pizza Orono's Bruce Farnsworth Has Passed Away

Bruce, as everyone called him, was the son of the man who started the Pat's Pizza franchise in the 1930s, C.D. "Pat" Farnsworth. His entire family spent time working the family business. When Pat passed in the early 2000s, Bruce took over for his dad and kept the business going.

Pat's Pizza Orono has been a staple in the community since its creation. And through the years, the business has been giving back to the community, whether it be its citizens or its students, elementary, High School, or University, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn't benefited directly, or indirectly, from the company whose name has become as synonymous with Orono as the University Black Bears.

It's that spirit that Bruce Farnsworth kept going when his dad passed, and it's that spirit the folks in Orono wanted to honor when Bruce passed.

So they thought of a creative way to honor the man whose eye twinkle and smile was as infectious as his silly jokes were funny.

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According to Pat's Pizza Orono Facebook Page, the town of Orono dedicated the throughway, which goes from the front door of Pat's Pizza (on Mill Street) and connects the back parking lot (and Pine Street) as "Bruce Farnsworth Way."

They marked the spot with a street sign and a stone that reads "Bruce Farnsworth Way, In Honor Of Bruce Farnsworth 194702023, For His Contributions To The Town Of Orono."

The official dedication of Bruce Farnsworth Way took place this past weekend at the Orono Festival Day on Saturday.

Next time you're in town, keep an eye out for the new street sign and the beautiful memorial stone.