ELLSWORTH
R. Vernon Bickford, age 91, a WWII veteran, passed away at a local hospital on March 29, 2018. He was born June 22, 1926, the second son of Reynold and Martha (May) Bickford of Winter Harbor.
After servicing his country in the United States Navy, he returned home and married Laverne Merchant in 1946. Together they spent 71 years raising their family and enjoyed many years of camping with their grandchildren.
Vern worked for the Maine Department of Transportation and after his retirement he worked at Hancock Grammar School, Hannaford and Maine Coast Memorial Hospital.
Vernon will be forever remembered by his wife, Laverne, daughters and sons-in-law, Audrey Hawxwell, Nancy (Michael) Brann, and Dotty (Richard) Small; grandchildren Dori and Scott, Danny and Chrissy, Susan and Norman, Cathy and Steve, Heidi and Arnold, and Kayla and Mac; great-grandchildren, Caitlyn, Garrett, Malayna, Steven, Micah, Abi, Ceara, Clarie and Ian; and many special nieces and nephews whom he loved like his own children.
He was predeceased by his grandson Jesse Riggs, son-in-law Thomas Hawxwell, sisters-in-law, Etta Russell and Dorothy Crooks; brothers Ralph and William Bickford and sister Barbara Bickford.
His family would like to thank the staff at Courtland Living Center for their kindness and compassion and for making his last year comfortable and happy.
Vernon did not want a funeral service, so there will be a graveside service in the spring in Brookside Cemetery in Winter Harbor. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Ellsworth.