CUMBERLAND – Charles W. Lyford, 99, passed away Dec. 30, 2005, at his residence. He was born Sept. 7, 1906, in Kingston, N.H., his adopted parents were James Alfred and Lizzie Sarah Lyford. He graduated from Sanborn Seminary in June of 1924, and Wentworth Institute in June of 1926. On Aug. 30, 1930, he married Anna Laura Clifford. Shortly thereafter they moved to Presque Isle where Charles worked for Postal Telegraph as a plant serviceman until 1942. He served with the U.S. Army Signal Corp during World War II and was stationed on the Presque Isle Airbase. In November of 1944, he began many years of employment with New England Telephone & Telegraph, before retiring from the Portland office with 25 years of service. Charles was an avid ham radio operator with call letters of WIGCB or known affectionately as “Gone Completely Batty.” For 50+ years he has been a member of the Trinity Lodge of Masons in Presque Isle and a member of the Telephone Pioneers. He served, along with his wife, Anna, as a volunteer at the Maine Medical Center, putting in over 2,200 hours. He was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Anna; and his oldest son, James Addison Lyford of Presque Isle. He is survived by his son, William Goodrich Lyford of Cumberland Center; daughter-in-law, Mary Lyford of Presque Isle; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Hospice of Southern Maine, 901 Washington Ave., Suite 104, Portland, ME 04103 or to the Cumberland Rescue, 292 Tuttle Rd., Cumberland, ME 04021.
CHARLES W. LYFORD
