ASHLAND – Arthur P. Rafford, passed on into God’s care Nov. 14, 2004, at the wonderful age of 83, surrounded by his loving family and wonderful and loving caregiver, Rayann Hafford, who he trusted and loved very much. Art was born June 5, 1921, in Ashland, the only child of Ervin and Florence (Delaite) Rafford. “Faltering in steps in recent days, nothing the same in his same old ways, but now free to go with arms wide open to greet all his loved ones on the other side” He attended schools in Sheridan and Ashland and graduated from the University of Maine in Orono in 1943, with highest distinction. He returned to Ashland to teach agronomy (agricultural science) at Ashland High School. In August of 1947, Art was married to Harriet “Hattie” (Boucher) Rafford. Later, he left his teaching career and began to farm the family land. He planted potatoes, and had a herd of Holstein cows and worked long but enjoyable hours with his loving wife Hattie by his side. He loved the earth and watching things grow. He returned to teaching and attended Gorham College where he earned a master’s degree in Industrial Arts and once again taught at Ashland High School until his retirement in 1984. He retired to stay home to care for his beloved wife Hattie as she fought a courageous battle with cancer until her passing in 1985. Art was an easy-going, kind, gentle, generous, and considerate person… a real ‘people person.’ He never had a bad word to say about anyone and had a large circle of friends who he cherished. He enjoyed the woods very much, hunting, fishing, and especially spending time at his camp on Fish Lake. He was a great story teller but also an equally good listener. Art was a member of the Ashland Rotary Club and had the distinction of being named a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a proud member of the Masonic Pioneer Lodge No. 72 AF & AM of Ashland and a member of the Anah Temple Shrine of Bangor. Arthur is survived by three loving children, Leo Rafford and his wife, Jean (Beaulier), of Yarmouth, Natalie Smith and her husband, Malcolm “Bunky”, of Ashland, and Patricia A. Rafford of Ashland; five grandchildren, Melissa Rafford of California, Adam Rafford and Erica Rafford, both of Yarmouth, Katie (Smith) Difrederico and her husband, Louie, of Millinocket, Ted Smith and his wife, Pam, of Pittsfield; one special cousin, Pauline Belyea of Presque Isle, and several loving nieces and nephews. He will be fondly remembered by his special friend, Bob Sturgeon who helped Art along the way and was always there for him. He will also be sadly missed by his constant faithful companion, his dog, Cody. In addition to his wife, Hattie; Art was predeceased by a grandson, Allen Leo Smith, in 1968. Relatives and Friends may call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, at the Union Congregational Church, Sheridan Road, Ashland. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, at the church. Committal service and interment will be in the Ashland Municipal Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in his memory to the Arthur Rafford Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Lynwood McHatten at the guidance department at Ashland Community High School. A service of Stimson-Ouellette Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St., Ashland.
ARTHUR P. ‘ART’ RAFFORD
