1933 – 2014

RUMFORD — John L. Tardiff, 81, died Sunday, June 22, at the Rumford Hospital. He was a resident of Mexico and enjoyed winter in Clearwater, Fla. John was known as Larry, Birdie, Dad, and Papa.

Born in South Brewer on May 23, 1933, he was a son of Roland and Helen (Braley) Tardiff. He was a graduate of Brewer High School Class of 1951. In June of 1949 at the age of 16, John enlisted in 314th Medical Detachment of the Maine Army National Guard for three years. He entered active duty with the U.S. Army in 1953 and served with the Signal Corp, 7th Infantry Division, during the Korean War as a telegrapher. He worked for Maine Central Railroad as a telegrapher and then as a dispatch clerk until his retirement in 1994.

John was a Communicant of the Parish of the Holy Savior St. Athanasius — St John Church, a member of the Napoleon Ouellette Post No. 24 American Legion; and an active member of AA for more than 32 years helping many others. He was a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox and New York Giants. An avid hunter and fisherman, he loved to take his kids swimming and watch them ski.

He was married in Old Town on Aug. 11, 1954, to June Bartlett, who died in Rumford on March 1, 2006.

Survivors include his daughter, Renee Cloutier and her husband, Dale, of Durham; two sons, John Tardiff Jr. of Rumford and Gary and his companion, Bobbie McCaffrey, of Rumford; four grandchildren, C. Michael Davis Jr. and his wife, Brandy, Jared Davis and his wife, Amanda, Crystal-Lynn Cloutier and Joel Tardiff; and six great-grandchildren, Amber, Alexa, Emily, Brady, Bailey, Mason.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com.