1930 – 2016

FARMINGTON — Robert D. Bamford, 86, a resident of West Road, Fayette, passed away Monday, May 16, at Sandy River Center.

He was born March 20, 1930, in Fayette, the son of George M. and Lena (Rose) Bamford. He attended school in Fayette. Robert grew up on the family dairy farm where he was born and lived until his death.

He was an excellent farmer and a skilled logger. Early on, he worked with horses and hand saws in the woods and later he worked for his brother, Stanley’s logging business, and wore out many a chain saw. He continued to log well into his 70s, even though some family members urged him to stop. He loved the woods and the work. Even then, he was a hard man to keep up with in the woods.

Robert also worked for the Town of Fayette for more than 40 years doing summer maintenance and plowing town roads in the winter. He always took special care of the equipment and vehicles he used, whether they were his own or belonged to someone else. Robert loved animals, particularly his horses and his dogs. He was a great fan of horse pulling competitions at the local fairs. His dog, Molly, was his constant companion.

Robert was a true native of Fayette, whose ancestors were two of the village’s first settlers. The land has remained in the family since it was originally acquired in the 1700s by Daniel Bamford. They set up their homestead on the same property on West Road. His niece, Lacy (Bamford) Badeau and her husband, Carl, purchased the property in 2007. A mobile home was set up there for Robert so he could live there for the remainder of his life.

Robert will be greatly missed by his many surviving nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; brothers, James, Clifton, Guy, Mellon and Stanley Bamford; and his sisters, Mildred Robinson, Edna and Ruth Jackman and Helen Small.

Robert’s family would like to thank Central Maine Medical Center, Meals on Wheels and the staff and management at Sandy River Center in Farmington.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.