PORTLAND — Ora Edgar “Penny” Pennington Jr., 82, died Aug. 12 at Maine Medical Center, surrounded by his family.

Pennington was born in Atchison, Kan., Sept. 24, 1930, to Edward Owen and Hazel Pennington. He was the oldest of eight children.

In 1948 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for 20 years on active duty and 10 years in the reserves. Pennington was stationed in many countries around the world, including Greenland, France, Italy, England (his favorite), South Korea and Morocco. He met his first wife while stationed at Brunswick Naval Air Station. He was last stationed in San Antonio, Texas, when he decided to retire from active duty.

After retiring from active duty he moved his family back to Maine and took a job as a truck driver for Fox and Ginn. After 1 1/2 years, 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.

Pennington loved to dance and 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. He 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.

He was predeceased by his parents, Edward Owen and Hazel Allis Pennington; 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 two sons, Terry Pennington and his wife, Nancy, and Eddie Pennington and his, wife Jane; eight stepchildren, Verna Nguyen and husband, Thinh, Terry Bisson and husband, Lucian, Tammy Diffin, Carolyn Diffin, Allie Diffin, Robert Diffin and wife, Lindsay, Michael Diffin and wife, Charlene and Mary Cardona; 33 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; and six siblings, Connie, Clifford, Harold, Leslie, Gladys and Norma.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 28 at the A.T. Hutchins Funeral and Cremation Services, located at 660 Brighton Ave., Portland, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

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