Edrick Farina

Edrick Luigi Farina, 88, of Keene, passed away peacefully at home on February 24, 2025 with family by his side.

He was born in Keene on July 25, 1936, the son of Gino Farina and Evelyn (Champagne) Farina, and first grandson of Luigi Farina, an Italian immigrant and prominent local business owner. Ed was a lifelong resident of Keene.

A successful businessman, Edrick was the third generation to join his family’s business, The Princess Shoe Company of Keene on Railroad Street. In its heyday the firm employed 350 people and sold 450,000 pairs of shoes annually. After the plant was closed in 1971, Edrick founded Princess Stitching, Inc., a contract stitching company that he would run for another 25 years and employ over 100 shoe workers in the very same building. Known for its quality work, his company assembled footwear for the likes of Nike, Bass, FootJoy, Frye Boots and many others. When the movie “Jumanji” was shot in Keene, the producers came to him for equipment to be used as props in the fictional ‘Parrish Shoe Company’ of the film.

Edrick attended Kimball Union Academy and Boston University. He was especially proud to have been a member of the undefeated 1953 Keene High School cross country team, which went on to win the New England Interscholastic Cross Country Championship that year, becoming the first team in Granite State history to win a New England title. As a young man he also enjoyed downhill skiing, and waterskiing at his parent’s cottage on Spofford Lake.

He was a family man. Ed and Jane (Vose) were married in 1957 and later settled in West Keene where they would live and raise their family. They enjoyed travels to France, Italy, and Florida, and treasured the summer weeks at the coast that would become a tradition, family vacations he meticulously planned, from Hampton to Ogunquit to Wells Beach, Maine. Their home on West Street was a lively place where they loved to entertain, and they did so often, even hosting NH Governor Hugh Gallen during his 1980 re-election campaign. The doors were always open and friends were always welcome.

Edrick was a man of many interests and talents, a master Do-It-Yourselfer. He was proud of his Italian heritage as evidenced by his love for cooking, and most autumn weekends found him in the kitchen making gallons of his famous tomato sauce, braciole and sausage. One year he planted nearly 100 tomato plants for the cause. He achieved Master level as a bridge competitor, and excelled at gin and cribbage as well. He enjoyed golf, candlepin bowling, fishing, and taking care of his yard. He was a long-time member of the Keene Country Club and served on its Board of Directors. He served as Commissioner of the Knowlton-Canada golf exchange program with the club, and was referred to as ‘Eddie the Eagle’ by his golfing buddies. He was a member of the Keene Lions Club, the Italian Club, and the Elks Club over the years. He was a patron member of The Boy Scouts of America, and a supporter of Keene Scout Troop 18. He was an early devotee to snowmobiling, long before the sport was popular, blazing trails in New Hampshire and riding in Canada and eastern Quebec, as far as the Gaspe Peninsula. He truly enjoyed spending time with his cousins at the family camp in Whitefield, NH, a rustic retreat that he helped build in 1958. He organized surfcasting trips for stripers off the beaches of Cape Cod, and personally attended two Super Bowls. He learned how to pilot an airplane. When his beloved Samoyed Nikki was severely injured in a car accident, he spent a small fortune to have expert veterinary surgeons put him back together. During the oil crisis of the 1970’s, he had a 1000-gallon storage tank buried in the backyard and filled it with heating oil. One who easily made friends everywhere, he loved a good Western, a good game of cards, and a good cocktail. Not necessarily in that order.

Edrick will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 67 years, Jane V. Farina of Keene, who cared for him at home the last three years of his life; his son Gino Farina and his companion Penny Durgin of Jaffrey; his daughters Christie Farina Wright of Keene, and Gia Farina and her wife Beth Daniels of Keene, and his grandson Owen T. Wright of Greer, SC. He also leaves a sister and brother-in-law, Jeananne and Robert Farrar of Keene and their children, Fredrick, Matthew, Daniel, and Annemarie; his close cousin Ron Farina, and many other cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In keeping with Ed’s wishes there will be no public calling hours or service. His family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services. Ed looked forward to visits from his aide Cindy, who he had grown fond of, as well as all the other compassionate staff that came to care for him. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers you may donate in Edrick’s memory to Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services of Keene, or the Monadnock Region Humane Society.

All services are under the care of the Cremation Society of New Hampshire. www.csnh.com.