RUMFORD – Paul Elwin Bickford Sr., 81, a resident of Rumford Community Home, passed away peacefully Monday, May 19.

He was born Aug. 8, 1926, in Belgrade, a son of Wallace and Ruth Bickford and received his education in Augusta schools. He then served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

On June 25, 1947, he married Nellie Stevens Douglas and they made their home in East Wilton, where they happily raised three sons and one daughter. He was quite a handy-man and took great pride in his skills as a carpenter. He enjoyed camping with his wife and enjoyed camping on the coast in their camper with family and friends.

He was a former member of the Wilton Lions Club, a life-member of Wilton Masonic Lodge 156, and volunteered for the East Wilton Fire Department. After retiring in 1988, he and his wife became snowbirds and wintered in Arizona. He loved their time meeting new people and gaining wonderful friends.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nellie Douglas Bickford of Rumford; three sons, Paul Bickford Jr. and his wife, Priscilla, of Peru, Marvin Bickford of Lewisburg, Ky., and Terry Bickford and his fiance, Marilyn Beliles, of Beech Creek, Ky.; one daughter, Lisa (Bickford) Leeman and her husband, Todd, of Dodgeville, Wis.; siblings, Howard Bickford of East Wilton, Philip Bickford of Manchester and Jeanne Bakhuizer of Antrim, N.H.; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by siblings, Evelyn, Wallace Jr., William, Virginia, Shirley, Beverly, Patricia and Bonnie.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Rumford Community Home for taking great care of “Papa.”