WILTON – Knowing Irv made me a better person. Presented with a vexing problem or a stressful situation, he would always state simply, “Do the next right thing.” He looked forward with hope and created it for others. He did so in his professional capacity and as a volunteer in a number of civic organizations.

He was born in Berlin, N.H. to Bernard and Lillian Faunce (nee LaChance), the only boy surrounded by five sisters. His family soon moved to South Portland, then Cape Elizabeth before settling in Gardiner where he graduated in 1963.

While attending Colby College, he worked at the Waterville Sentinel writing obituaries and also taught English and French at Belgrade High School. Upon graduation, Colby hired him to work in the Office of Communications. He loved then, and continued to support with enthusiasm, his alma mater. He worked briefly for the Maine County Commissioners Association, Maine Pharmacy Association, Maine Better Transportation Association before finding his true calling in health care administration.

He met and married Julia Traynor and had four beautiful children who filled his life with light and laughter.

Irv oversaw the development of the first in the nation Alzheimer’s Care Facility in Gardiner. It was his honor to complete a space preserving the dignity of those suffering from the disease of Alzheimers while providing specialized care and supporting families.

His career in health care led him to serve as director of many facilities around the state – in Kennebunk at the Brain Injury Facility and in long term care in Kennebunk, Blue Hill, Camden, Madison and Farmington.

He was a fierce protector of the rights and well being of the most vulnerable members of our community and was honored to sit on the inaugural board of the Maine Human Rights Commission 1976-1981, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection 2000-2005, the State Board of Corrections 2008-2011. He served on various school boards, select boards, city councils, planning boards, low-income housing, and health care systems boards.

In his mid-40s, he found the fellowship of Friends of Bill, changing his life and possibly saving it. He met and married Jan Collins. Together they adopted three children enriching their lives and teaching them unexpected lessons.

Irv believed in a life of service and he lived it, giving of himself without expectation of return. He was positive in outlook and quietly passionate.

Irv was preceded in death by his parents Lillian and Bernard Faunce; his sister, Sally Ricker; and a grandson, Ethan Henderson.

He is survived by his sisters Beverly White (husband Les), Suzanne House (husband Arnie), Bonnie Moulton, and Cathy Lurvey; first wife, Julia Faunce (nee Traynor); his children, Kelly Malmquist (husband Ward), Karen Rand (husband Steve), Kasey Harris (husband Bill), Tom Faunce, Kathy Collins-Faunce, Gordon Collins-Faunce, and Sasha Collins-Faunce; 13 grandchildren, Madison and Mitchell Rand; Ayden, Alex, and Ashton Harris; Kaylin Malmquist; Lucas and Nevaeh Abustan; Haley Hawks; Syrina, Lyesha, and Helen Harrington; Samantha Rosenbach-Abrams; wife and helpmate Jan Collins.

Public visitation will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Wilton United Methodist Church, 600 Main St., Wilton, followed by Irv’s funeral service at 3 p.m. A reception will be held at the church at 4 p.m. Memories may be shared in Irving’s Book of Memories at http://www.wilesrc.com. Honored to be caring for the family of Irving Faunce is Wiles Remembrance Center of Farmington.

For the loving care provided him in his last days, we ask that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to

Maine Hospice Council,

Governor Hill Mansion,

136 State St. Suite 220,

Augusta, ME 04333