AUBURN — When they called him “the most amazing greenhouse cat that ever lived,” they meant every word.

Rufus, the Maine coon that charmed visitors at Whiting Farm for more than a dozen years, has died, according to farm officials.

The news was announced early Thursday afternoon, and the condolences, lamentations and memory-sharing began at once.

“So sorry to all of you,” wrote Eric Rohrbach of the Margaret Murphy Center. “He was such a joy for our students.”

“Such a sweet cat,” said Cindi Byrkit of Auburn. “Very sad.”

“Goodbye, my sweet friend,” offered Katrina Smith Adams of South Paris.

That was the thing about Rufus: He was a people’s cat. Older visitors to Whiting Farm admired his poise and personality. The kids were drawn to the thick mane and fuzzy tail.

Rufus, who commonly held court in Greenhouse No. 4, was roughly 15 years old, according to a veterinarian who recently examined him.

In an interview this past summer, farm namesake and occasional Rufus spokesman Elmer Whiting said he couldn’t remember exactly when the cat showed up at the farm stand down the street from his farm. He remembers that it was summer and that Rufus stood out from the plain old strays he normally saw. Declawed and neutered, Rufus had obviously been a family pet. He was confident and sociable. He loved to be petted and was happy to be the center of attention.

The cat stayed. When the farm was sold to John F. Murphy Homes in 2014, Rufus was written into the contract. Per the terms of the sale, Rufus had to be allowed to stay in his greenhouse.

That wasn’t a problem. Farm Director Kim Finnerty, the farm’s other workers and children from the nonprofit Margaret Murphy Centers for Children made sure Rufus had fresh food and water every day. The children also made sure he got enough attention.

Some farm visitors reported enjoying Rufus’ company as recently as Wednesday. By sundown Thursday, however, the Whitings were burying their beloved cat.

“Today we say goodbye to the most amazing greenhouse cat that has ever lived,” the people of Whiting Farm posted on their Facebook page. “Rufus will forever be part of the Whiting Farm and we will miss you terribly.”

Rufus will be buried on the farm, Finnerty said.

Right where he belongs.