In Loving Memory of David Larkin
Former Plant Manager – Wilton Cheese Factory & Jensen Cheese
Passed Away Sunday, May 31, 2026
The staff of Wilton Cheese Factory and Jensen Cheese regretfully and with heavy hearts share the passing of Mr. David Larkin, former Plant Manager, who died on Sunday, May 31, 2026. His loss is deeply felt by customers, colleagues, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him.
Dave was far more than the man in charge of the factory. He was a steady presence, a moral compass, and a source of strength for so many. His kindness, strong ethics, and fierce loyalty formed a foundation that grounded the people around him. In an industry built on trust, tradition, and care, Dave embodied all three with quiet confidence and unwavering consistency.
His dependability and devotion to the factory were immeasurable. Dave believed deeply in the work, in the people who did it, and in the responsibility that came with producing something honest and enduring. He took pride not only in the cheese itself, but in the process, the standards, and the legacy behind every wheel and block that left the plant.
Dave was not one to sit behind a desk. He preferred to be on the floor, sleeves rolled up, managing situations firsthand rather than asking someone else to do work he was fully capable of doing himself. He led by example, earning respect through action rather than title. That hands-on leadership built trust, fostered teamwork, and created an environment where people felt valued and supported.
A tremendous part of a disappearing art, Dave was deeply connected to the tradition of small factory cheese making. He understood the balance between craftsmanship and consistency, tradition and progress. With his passing, the cheese world has lost not only a skilled professional, but a guardian of knowledge and a steward of a time-honored craft. His experience, insight, and dedication cannot be replaced.
To those who worked with him, Dave was a colleague and a friend. He listened, he guided, and he stood by his people. He had a way of making others feel secure in their work and confident in themselves. His presence made the long days lighter and the hard moments easier to bear.
David Larkin leaves behind a legacy woven into the fabric of the factory, the products it produces, and the people who continue the work he cared for so deeply. His influence will be felt for years to come in the standards upheld, the traditions preserved, and the values passed on.
He will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.
May his memory be honored in the work he loved and the lives he touched.
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