PORTSMOUTH — Louis Escobar, a passionate defender of Portsmouth’s oldest profession (farming), who lit up Portsmouth’s skies every year for families and let them get lost in his corn maze off Middle Road, died Friday, Oct. 21, at home. 

The husband of Jane (Rzegocki) Escobar, he was 84.

Escobar, a longtime dairy farmer who was alternately known as “Mr. Portsmouth” or “The Mayor” despite holding no elected office, was perhaps the most well-known figure in town. For decades, he served as a vital link between Portsmouth’s agricultural past and present.

Since taking over Escobar Farm from his father in 1972, Escobar greeted thousands of visitors there, and not just for fireworks or the corn maze. He loved giving tours and educating people about his farm’s operation, and was involved in 4-H for decades, serving as president of the annual 4-H fair’s committee.

In 2017, Escobar Farm was named Rhode Island’s Outstanding Dairy Farm of the Year by the New England Green Pastures Committee. The 90-cow farm was selected for Louis and Jane’s involvement in dairy farming advocacy and growth, community ties and commitment to farming best practices. Escobar was a fierce promoter of the agriculture industry, testifying on behalf of ordinances or laws at the local, state and federal levels. He also supported efforts to protect open space, with his own land being preserved through the Aquidneck Land Trust. Escobar was president and a founding member of Rhody Fresh, a cooperative of local dairy farms that helped resurrect the state’s dairy industry.

The farm was profiled in a documentary film, “Forgotten Farms,” a screening of which was attended by the Escobars at Portsmouth Abbey in 2017. Escobar’s gift for gab apparently made editing the Dave Simonds-directed documentary — which features about half a dozen farmers in all — a difficult task.

“Dave’s wife told Jane, ‘We had a hard time putting that film together — making it about all the farmers and not a Louis Escobar thing,’” Escobar said back in 2017. “I’ve been told I have a way with words, but I’m only in there for a few minutes in the whole film.”

Despite a bad fall from a tractor in 2015 that made him a functioning quadriplegic, Escobar never lost his optimism or sense humor. “Better than ever!” was his standard response whenever someone asked how he was doing. He still made public appearances on occasion, including a visit to the 4-H Fair at Glen Park in August.

Adored by the public

We asked some town officials as well as residents on Facebook to share their thoughts about Louis Escobar. Due to the overwhelming response, we have room for only a handful.

• Town Council member Keith Hamilton: “Great American — salt-of-the-earth kind of guy. We need more people like Louie. Obviously, he’s going to be greatly missed.”

• Town Council member Andrew Kelly: “Mr. Escobar — that’s what I call him — inspired my love of farming, animals, and my support of local farms through his Rhody Milk project and others. He was everything that Portsmouth should embody and was a great asset to our community.”

• Michael Hurley: “I was the first arriving Portsmouth Fire Department officer the day of the barn fire. As I sized up the scene, Louie’s only concern was his cows. Fortunately with a lot of help from other fire departments and Louie's friends we were able to save all his cows. The barn was a total loss but Louie was most grateful that we were able to save the cows.”

• Kristen Domenico Smith: “When I walked into his house for the first time as his physical therapist, he was immediately busting my chops, so I gave it right back to him and he said he knew right away we would get along fine.”

• Anne Halm McDonald: “Growing up next to the farm, I have a few great memories. Louis always had a smile and time to jump off his tractor to see how things were going. When I was young, he was always happy to indulge in my curiosity of the cows. And, his willingness to donate to our homecoming week theme of 'Freshman Farmers.' His love of the community and farming will always be remembered.”

• Dan Bigbee: “Our backyard is up against the corn maze. Back in the day when my dad was out mowing, if Louie was out on the tractor and they saw each other, he would ride up and they would be chatting forever.”

• Kelly Bigbee: “Like my brother Dan mentioned above, our father was quite friendly with Louie. I’ll never forget the two birthday parties in middle school when Louie brought a cow calf to hang in our backyard for the day, and it was so much fun.”

• Arthur Severa: “A piece of Portsmouth’s fabric.”

• Lark Roderigues: “He brought a baby calf to my wedding at the (Glen) Manor House.”

• Greg Gizzi: “I was lucky enough to work for Louis and Jane! A young farm boy just out of Ag College and from another family farm, I learned a lot and had a lot of fun milking and taking care of the cows!”

• Kenny Whodog: “Twenty years ago I brought my grandson there for regular visits. One time, Dirty Joe the rooster charged at him, so I kicked him like a soccer ball. I offered to pay for the bruises, but Louis told us the chicken wasn't worth three dollars and that we were welcome on the farm any time.”

• Dawn Shenanigan: “If you didn't know him, you might find him a wee bit crass. If you did know him, you never knew what to expect he was going to say next. He was larger than life, yet humble — child-like even. He loved animals more than most humans and worked his farm with verve, vigor and a sense of commitment unparalleled to anyone I've ever known, with the exception of my grandfather, who was also a dairy farmer and close friend of Louie.”

• Carla Toppa: “Thank you for a wonderful childhood growing up across the street from you and the farm — always letting us kids run around in the fields as you worked, letting us play in the hayloft and playing with the calfs, watching the whole process of milking the cows.”

• Aphrodite B. Cottrell: “As long as I have lived in Portsmouth, 37 years, he has been a major part of everyone’s lives. He brought smiles to everyone’s faces with his Fourth of July fireworks in recent years his corn maize. He was etched in everyone's memories. I pray for his family and I know heaven opened its gates wide to welcome him.”

• Jane LeBlanc: “Louis was like no other person I’ve ever met. His sense of humor was the best. He cared so much about the survival of dairy farms and about our town. I will always remember him with great fondness. My heart goes out to the amazing Jane and the rest of his family.”