- Date Of Birth: September 24, 1930
- Date Of Death: August 12, 2013
- State: Maine
Ora E. Pennington, Jr.
September 24, 1930
August 12, 2013
Portland – Ora Edgar Pennington Jr., “Penny”, passed away on August 12, 2013 at Maine Medical Center surrounded by his family.
Penny was born in Atchison, Kansas on September 24, 1930 to Edward Owen and Hazel (Allis) Pennington. He was the oldest of eight children. In 1948 Penny enlisted in the Air Force where he served for 20 years on active duty and 10 years in the reserves. While in the military, Penny was stationed in many countries around the world. They include; Greenland, France, Italy, England (his favorite!), Korea and Morocco. He met his first wife while stationed at Brunswick Naval Air Station in Maine. He was last stationed in San Antonio, TX when he decided to retire from active duty.
Penny moved his family back to Maine and took a job as a truck driver for Fox and Ginn. After a year and a half he went to work for Hannaford Brothers. He started as a janitor for the company and worked his way up the ranks to an administrative position in order entry. After 27 years at Hannaford he retired completely.
Penny loved to dance; he met his second wife on the dance floor of the American Legion in Portland. He also enjoyed golfing, bowling, cribbage and watching John Wayne movies. Many of his retirement years were spent wintering in Florida and summering at Blackburn’s campground in Waterboro, ME. Penny was a humble man from humble beginnings who didn’t like to talk about himself. He did love being with family and friends and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Predeceased by his parents, Edward Owen and Hazel Allis Pennington and step-father, Ora Edgar Pennington Sr.; his first wife, Maryfrances King Pennington and his second wife, Lorrain Brown Diffin Pennington; brother Glen Pennington and son Leonard “Lenny” Pennington. He is survived by his 2 sons, Terry Pennington and wife Nancy (Warren) and Eddie Pennington and wife Jane (Lantana, FL); eight step-children, Verna Nguyen and husband Thinh (Casco), Terry Bisson and husband Lucian (Biddeford), Tammy Diffin(Biddeford), Carolyn Diffin (Westbrook), Allie Diffin (Biddeford), Robert Diffin and wife Lindsay (Yarmouth), Michael Diffin and wife Charlene (Portland) and Mary Cardona (Portland); 33 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; 6 siblings Connie (Topeka, KS), Clifford (Atchison, KS), Harold (PA), Leslie (Atchison, KS), Gladys (Texas), and Norma (Pheonix, AZ).
