PORTLAND — Mitchell Fernie, 53, died Sept. 2 at home, surrounded by his family.

Fernie was born Sept. 19, 1958, into a community of artists in Westport, Conn., then moved with his family to Vermont in 1970. After high school, he lived in Denver and Boston before settling in Portland in the 1980s.

He was a partner in the Portland advertising groups Surprise Advertising and Print Media prior to establishing his own graphic design firm MK Fernie Associates.

For the last 10 years Fernie combined his love of antique signage and carpentry skills into a successful small business that produced handcrafted, original wooden signs sold at selected Maine galleries and worldwide via mail-order. An avid Porsche enthusiast, he spent numerous seasons racing his Porsche 911 in SCCA regional events.

Fernie was a fierce individualist, an accomplished artist and designer, an intrepid entrepreneur, passionate woodworker, gardener, and life-long dog lover.  

Fernie is survived by his wife, Barbara Borchardt; his mother, June E. Fernie, of Kennebunk; his brother, Bruce Fernie of Florence, Italy; his sister, Heather McInnis, of Kennebunkport; three nephews Alex Fernie, Mitchell Kell, and Trevor Kell; and three nieces Dana Fernie, Bowen Fernie, and Avery Fernie. 

Fernie was predeceased by his father, John A. Fernie.

A private celebration of Fernie’s life is planned. Donations can be made in his honor to: Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U.S. Route 1, Suite 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.

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