The words of praise continue to pour in for the late Patrick Usher; from old and new friends, down to his siblings. He was a genuine human being who was beloved by all who knew him.

Usher Sr. passed away recently at the age of 82 after a highly successful career as a farmer and a man of vision.

“He was definitely from the old school,” said his son, Patrick, Jr., in a personal interview. “Everything I learned about farming was from him. He was as genuine as they come.”

Patrick Jr. loves talking about his dad and the impact he had on the farming industry, even from a local standpoint. There aren’t many from around here who hasn’t heard about or visited Usher’s Farm on Metacom Avenue. And, it’s all because of the efforts of Patrick Usher Sr.

Originally a dairy farm, Usher’s became noted for its vegetables, particularly its luscious sweet corn, and the scores of people who line up each year to savor the taste. Coincidentally, next year will mark the 60th anniversary of Usher’s Farm sweet corn. Enough said.

“My dad did so much for everyone,” said Patrick Jr. “There wasn’t anybody like him.”

“He was a hardworking man,” added Seth Usher, Usher Sr.’s other son. “It’s going to be tough not having him around anymore. I’m having a tough time coping with his death. He sacrificed a lot in life. He was a great grandfather, too. He always spoiled the grandkids.”

As for the farming end of things, Seth said his dad was special in every way imaginable.

“He taught me how to drive a tractor with I was five years old by putting a block of wood to the clutch pedal,” he explained. “I’ll always cherish the time I spent with him. His passing will leave a huge void, not only in our hearts, but in this community. He would do anything for anybody.”

Daughter Emily Usher Pacheco was teary-eyed when talking about her father and the love and impact he had on the entire family.

“He was an amazing grandfather,” she noted. “He would do anything to make his grandkids laugh. He was such a hardworking man who sacrificed so much for us. He made sure we had opportunities that he didn’t have for himself, and he loved his family and the land.”

Emily remembers her father interacting with his grandchildren exceedingly well to the point that he cleverly told them, “When 5 o’clock came twice a day, you should be up for both of them. I use that with my own kids now.”

Over the internet, a number of people recalled memories of Patrick Usher.

“It was always a pleasure to see Patrick and his family grow,” said friends Susan and Jerry Sanders.

John D. Borges added, “As a friend and high school classmate of Patrick’s, the family has my heartfelt condolences. Pat was ever the gentleman in school, and a good friend. He was known as a hard worker, both on the farm and in school and was liked by everyone. R.I.P. Pat.”

Patrick Usher will be dearly missed for all the above reasons, but make no mistake about it, his legacy will last even longer than the good soil he toiled over and nurtured throughout his life on this planet.

Roger Williams creates scholarship in Usher’s name
On Tuesday morning Liz Fongemie, Director of Advancement from Roger Williams University, reached out to the Phoenix. She said that the university had caught wind that Usher’s granddaughter, currently attending the school, had spoken of a wish to create a legacy at the university in his name.

Fongemie said that an anonymous donor, touched by the thought, set up an endowed scholarship in honor of Usher’s memory. You can donate to the scholarship fund by clicking this link.