David Hadden Fairburn

DAVID HADDEN FAIRBURN died peacefully of cancer at the age of 73, on October 23, 2010, four weeks after the death of his wife, partner of fifty years, and best friend, Barbara Farnsworth Fairburn. Born in New York City, the son of Laura Hadden and William Armstrong Fairburn Jr., David attended The Buckley School. He graduated in 1954 from the Groton School where his love of sports and his leadership qualities led him to be chosen captain of both the varsity football and baseball teams. While attending Harvard University,he played active roles in the Owl Club, the Krocodillos singing group and leading roles in Hasty Pudding theatricals. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard in 1959 David enjoyed a twenty-five year career with Keyes Fiber Company, then maker of the Chinet brand, where for many years he served as Executive Vice President and Director of European Operations. He later acted as CEO of Cherami Natural Pet Foods Inc., which was a pioneer in the all-natural pet food industry. After his retirement, David spent many years traveling with dear friends through Europe and sailing aboard their boat, Meltemi, from Maine to the Caribbean. Music was an inspirational joy to David. For forty years, his deep bass could be heard from the choir loft of the Round Hill Community Church as a lead vocalist and occasionally a soloist. He was a long time member of the Board of Trustees of the Church and served as Chairman for four years, during which the members constructed the current church building. David was a past Governor of the Field Club of Greenwich and Indian Harbor Yacht Club, as well as a prior member of The New York Yacht Club and the Cruising Club of America. He also served on the Board of Trustees for the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School and the Gunnery School in Washington, CT. David enjoyed an extraordinary fifty year marriage to Barbara Farnsworth Fairburn and has been predeceased by her, by brothers, William Armstrong Fairburn III and Gordon Ramsay Fairburn; and sister-in-law, Lois Farnsworth Sykes. He leaves his loving daughters, Hilary Sullivan, married to Scott Sullivan with daughters, Taylor Farnsworth Sullivan and Blair Fairburn Sullivan, and Lisa Clark, married to Todd Clark with daughter, Samantha Farnsworth Clark and son, Tucker Rhoads Clark; as well as sister and brother-in-law, Susan Farnsworth and John Davis Spooner and sister-in-law, Phoebe Emmet Fairburn. David set a standard of strength, discipline, leadership and commitment to excellence that was absolutely unique. He truly depicted the consummate gentleman of the old school. A memorial service to celebrate the lives of both Barbara and David will be held at the Round Hill Community Church on Sunday December 19th at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow in the church parlor. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Round Hill Community Church, 395 Round Hill Rd., Greenwich, CT 06831.