1944 – 2016

LEWISTON — Eric Bunford, 72, of Ledges Court, Lewiston, died peacefully Friday, Sept. 23, at Central Maine Medical Center, surrounded by love.

He was born in Lancaster, England, on May 4, 1944, a son of the late Kenneth and Dorothy Dennison Bunford. He arrived on America’s shore at 4 years of age. He was educated in Buffalo, N.Y., area schools and gave his kindergarten teacher a run for her money. However, by the time he was a young adult, as irony would have it, he became a first-class teacher. He pursued his teaching degrees, completing his master’s plus 30 in administration at the University of Southern Maine.

Eric served an extended tour in Vietnam, returning as a sergeant at a young age. He then served proudly in the U.S. Army Reserve for 25 years. His final years, he taught at West Point, achieving many honors.

He was a teacher for over 30 years, chiefly at Greene Central School, where he was nominated for Maine Teacher of the Year. He worked at Maine Public Television for over 30 years as director and producer of local television.

Eric was an active member of Court Street Baptist Church. Known as the “sound guy”… he truly was “Mr. Fix It.”

He founded The Gathering, running the programming portion with his wife.

He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

His creativity, ingenious mind and wit will be sorely missed.

He leaves behind his wife of 33 years, Janet Bunford; his three children, Sandy Gagnon of New Hampshire, Buddy Bunford and his wife, Stephanie, of Florida and Lianna Nyberg and her husband, Karl, of Lewiston; five grandchildren, Zackery, Kelsey, Delaney, Kolinn and Miranda; brother, Kenneth and wife, Ellen, of Buffalo, N.Y.; mother-in-law, Pauline Martin of Lewiston; in-law siblings, nieces and nephews who share his wit; and his dog and best pal, Ben.

Please visit www.thefortingrouplewiston.com to share online condolences and view a video tribute.