Ernest K. Bickford (1927 – 2014)

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Ernest Bickford
Ernest Bickford

FARMINGTON – Ernest K. Bickford, 87, a resident of Jay, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014, at Sandy River Center.

He was born on July 2, 1927, in Industry, the fourth child of Alvin Bickford and Dora A. (Butterfield) Bickford.

He was raised on the west side of Livermore, where he attended Riverside Grammar School. He graduated from Livermore Falls High School in 1946, following two years of employment at the International Paper Company in Chisholm; he attended the Auburn Maine School of Commerce, graduating from the Accounting and Business Administration course. He served for 2 years in the 40th Div, U. S. Army in Japan and Korea and was a recipient of the Purple Heart.

He returned to Maine school of commerce for advanced course in auditing. Following graduation he was employed by Maine Dowel Corporation in Farmington for 31 years, retiring when the business was closed as Production Planning Manufacturing. He also was employed by the Audit Division of the Department of Human Services taking early retirement due to cancer.

On May 4, 1957, he married Gloria Mary Ann Boucher at St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay and they resided in Farmington.

He was a Communicant of St. Joseph’s Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, organist, and president of the parish council and a member of the budget committee. He was a member of the Bishop Bacon Council, Knights of Columbus, where he served as Financial Secretary, past Grand Knight and District Deputy, as well as Past Faithful Navigator of the Ambrose J. Berry District Assembly of the 4th degree. The family moved back to Jay where he was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Resurrection Choir, the Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th degree, and a Life Member of the V.F.W. Following his recovery from cancer he was active with the Androscoggin Health and Hospice as a volunteer and later a member of the patient support team at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gloria Bickford of Jay; their five children: Ann Louise Buckland and her husband Andy of Farmington, Mark F. Bickford and wife Donna of Jay, Susie E. Millett and husband Steve of Jay, John A. Bickford of Jay and Paul L. Bickford of Hull, Mass.; sister Sherry Phillips of Wilton, 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sisters: Eleanor Souther and Nellie Bickford and his brother Elmer Bickford.

The family would like to thank the staff at Sandy River for their wonderful care of Ernie. Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Monday, 11 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church, 1 Church Street, Jay, Maine. Visiting hours will be Sunday 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Finley Funeral Home, 15 Church Street, Livermore Falls, Maine. Interment with Full Military Honors at Holy Cross Cemetery, 445 Park Street, Livermore Falls, Maine. Members of the military organizations will meet at the funeral home Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

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11 Comments

  1. Susie & Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Your Dad was a great man! Hold on to all the memories!
    Love, Mary & Skip

  2. Our sincere condolences goes out to the entire Bickford family at this time of loss to a husband, father, brother,father in law, grandfather and friend. Ernie was a lovely, kind and friendly man and the nicest landlord anyone could every have. He was our first and our last ..they were like family to us.. we watch his children grow up and then they watch our children grow… thanks for the great memories…. may you rest in peace our friend.

    With deepest sympathy,

    Rachel, David, Josh and Holly Heath.

  3. Gloria; you will not remember me, but I went to Weight Watchers in Farmington many years ago when you and Ernie led us and what a wonderful, kind man he was. I am very sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences. Jo Bessey, Kingfield

  4. Gloria, Sue, Ann, John, Mark, and Paul and families… sending my deepest sympathy to you all in your loss. Such a nice family, as I remember back to the days when I was “babysitting” for the kids… many nice memories of happy times.. such a wonderful family…and to you “Susie” you are the way you are because of your family upbringing…you are a very thoughtful and caring person. You (all) are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Bless you all.

    Sharon (Pillsbury) Barker

  5. I remember Ernie working the fun days at Maine Dowel. What a pleasant man. Thoughts and prayers go out the the family

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