Ernest G. "Ernie" Farmer Sr., who during his career as an assistant division chief for the Baltimore Department of Public Works was known for being on call 24/7 and for his expert advice on directing repairs of ruptured underground utility lines, died Monday of a massive heart attack.
The Randallstown resident was 86.
Mr. Farmer was in his cardiologist's office when stricken with a heart attack and died en route to Northwest Hospital, family members said.
"I've known Ernie more than 40 years, and we spent many winter nights together looking at broken water and sewer lines," said George G. Balog, who retired in 2000 as city Department of Public Works director. "He was a very good employee and a good friend."
The son of Johnie Farmer, a Bethlehem Steel Corp. worker, and Julia Farmer, a homemaker, Ernest Gene Farmer was born in Louisville, Ky., and moved with his family in 1932 to Eastpoint.
He was a graduate of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and in 1945 joined the Merchant Marine. After a year, he enlisted in the Coast Guard, where he served until being honorably discharged.
In 1948, he went to work for what is now the city Traffic Department's Signal Division, and in 1955, he took a job as a laborer for the Department of Public Works. Eventually, he was promoted to assistant division chief in the department's water and wastewater division.
"What made Ernest Farmer such an outstanding individual was his commitment to public service," said Judge David W. Young, a longtime friend who is retired from the Baltimore City Circuit Court. "He received many citations, awards and commendations for public service. He was a most dedicated public servant."
"I remember we had a water main break on North Avenue and a car had fallen into the ditch," said Mr. Balog, who lives in Abingdon. "We needed a crane to get it out, and Ernie, who stayed for hours, gave us very good advice in getting it out.
"He was a very dedicated employee and someone I could always count on and trust. No matter what time of day or night, he'd be there and have a solution to whatever the problem was," Mr. Balog said.
He described Mr. Farmer as "unflappable, mild-mannered and soft-spoken."
"Even as a supervisor, it was not unusual for him to get down in the trenches and work right along with the crew to ensure that service was provided in a prompt and proper manner," said Judge Young, whose wife is Mr. Farmer's niece.
"There were times I called him in the middle of the night to render assistance to someone whose sewer had backed up or storm drains were clogged," said Judge Young, who lives in Hunting Ridge. "He got out of bed, drove to the location and then summoned city work crews to the site. I remember him saying on these occasions, 'Let's get this mess cleaned up so these people can get back into their homes.' "
"Everything was in Ernie's head. He never had to go to maps, books or computers," said Mr. Balog. "He knew where everything was and could find a solution. And when he didn't have to be there, he still came to help. I always found him standing alongside of me."
When the Pied Piper Pest Control Inc. building in the 1200 block of E. North Ave. exploded in 1981, causing a three-alarm fire, Mr. Farmer arrived at the scene.
"We had to send someone down the manhole to check for methane gas. Ernie said he'd do it. I said, 'Ernie, do you really want to do that?' " said Mr. Balog. "He said 'yes' and put on a mask and a suit and climbed down through the manhole. It was at least 20 feet down that ladder, and he was no spring chicken."
Mr. Farmer retired in 1993.
He attended City Temple Baptist Church for many years and since 2003 was a member of Zion Baptist Church. "He was active in the church and gave freely of his time, talent and treasury," said Judge Young.
"At home, he was a jack-of-all-trades, and enjoyed home improvement projects. He had the necessary skills to build a house, and even took a course ... so he could learn how to read blueprints," said a daughter, Gloria M. Wilson of Forest Hill.
He was a basketball, football and baseball fan.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday at his church, 1700 N. Caroline St.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife of 33 years, the former Dorothy Artis; three sons, Ernest G. Farmer Jr. and Arnold E. Farmer, both of Baltimore, and Rodney Farmer of Severn; three other daughters, Roslyn A. Dixon of Baltimore, Dorothy F. Tyler of Harmans and Anita Farmer of Severn; a sister, Mamie L. Foster of Baltimore; 15 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. An earlier marriage ended in divorce.