Aubrey LaVerne Pharmer, Sr.

Aubrey "Al" Pharmer, Sr, 91, formerly of Storrs died peacefully on Friday, December 2, 2016 at Douglas Manor in Windham.  He was born on April 2, 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa, to the late Edna "Viola" (Small) and McGloire "Mac" Pharmer.  He is survived by two sons, Keith Pharmer and wife Mary Jane of Scotland, CT and Aubrey "Verne" Pharmer Jr and wife Linda of Ashford, and a daughter Jeannine Steniger and husband Steven G. of Woodstock.  He leaves behind eight grandchildren; Kate Riquier, Todd Pharmer, Beth Knight, Roger Marinelli, Lorelea Thorstenson, Marcy Bryson, Steven H. Steniger, and Rachel Swayze, eighteen great grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, several nieces, nephews and cousins.  He also leaves his best friend Charles "Red" Sharpe of Ellington.  In addition, he leaves his extended family and friends at Douglas Manor, who provided compassionate care, kindness and love during the past 2 1/2 years that the manor was his home.  He was predeceased by two brothers Edonard "Vincent" and McGloire Pharmer, his sister Lillian (Pharmer) Archibald, his first wife of 43 years, Shirley (Mills) Pharmer, his second wife of 11 years Marie-Jose (Defauwes) Zugeber Pharmer and a grandson Michael J. Pharmer.  Aubrey grew up as a Baptist in Iowa in a large farmhouse and attended a one room school.  He later moved to Maine at the age of 10 where he finished school through grade 8.  At the age of 13, in order to help provide for his family during the Great Depression, he used a wagon to deliver the newspapers in the morning, afternoon and on Sundays. He received a Merit award for his excellent record.  Later he worked on a vegetable farm loading trucks in the summer and then he became a truck driver.  At the age of 17 he joined the US Navy and served as a member of the armed guard gun crew as a gunner's mate.  He served his country during World War II in the American, European-African Middle East, and Asiatic-Pacific areas.  He was part of the amphibious forces involved with the invasion of France.  He was honorably discharged as a Seaman First Class in December of 1945.  He worked at Hamilton Standard in the factory, then became their field representative training and troubleshooting for Boeing Aircraft, and later a setup man.  He worked for TD Bross Electrical Contractor as a hydraulic and mobile crane operator.  He worked for Homes & Narver who installed security systems as an equipment operator in Germany, Belgium, England and Saudia Arabia.  Aubrey was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #42 for 56 years, a Masonic member of the Grand Blue Lodge of CT for 64 years, and a Shriner for 35 years.  He enjoyed swimming, boxing, dancing, listening to Johnny Cash, hunting, fishing, nature, and most of all spending time with his family.  Aubrey’s family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday December 10, 2016 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St, (Rte. 195) Willimantic, with a Christian Memorial Service beginning at 2:00pm.  A Military burial will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, a tribute gift in memory of Aubrey L Pharmer, Sr can be made to Shriner's Hospitals for Children, 51 Blossom St, Boston, MA 02114.  For an online memorial guestbook please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com.

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