ASHLAND – Dana L. Rafford, 82, passed away peacefully at a local hospital June 22, 2007, surrounded by his family. He was born Dec. 11, 1924, at Portage Lake, the son of Donald Sr. and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Rafford. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in Germany and France and was a life member of the LeBlanc-Junkins VFW Post No. 9699, Ashland. During his younger years, Dana worked as a mechanic in many places, but had the best time when he and Cecile operated the Gulf station in Ashland for more than 20 years. They sold Polaris snowmobiles and were selected dealer of the year for 10 years. Dana was also an accomplished fiddler and for years played for many dances around the county at granges, legions and VFW halls and for weddings. That was an enjoyable time for him, as well as going fishing and cutting wood. He would be going to camp and scouting all the trees he could cut for winter, making everyone else groan. He actually cut his own wood as late as two years ago, when he finally had to quit. Dana thoroughly enjoyed his family and going to camp with them, especially at Thanksgiving when the whole crew would gather for food and card playing. There was always great controversy about when and which cards were supposed to be played when playing 500 and don’t mess around with wild cards at poker. He was also a great storyteller and used to have everyone laughing when he got going. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. He is survived by two children, Betty Haley and her husband, Fred, and Mark Rafford Sr. and his wife, Nancy; a bro-ther, Donald Jr. and his wife, Georgene, all of Ashland; six grandchildren, Roxanne Tardie and her husband, Andy, Mark Rafford Jr. and wife, Audrey, Patrick Rafford and his wife, Tammy, Ian Rafford, Fred Haley Jr. and his wife, Jessica and Shawn Haley; seven great-grandchildren, Paige, Kasey and Dylan Haley, Fallyn and Olivia Tardie, Brooke and Ryan Rafford. They all dearly loved their “Pappy” and will miss him, as will the rest of the family. He was predeceased by his wife, Cecile, June 22, 2004; and a daughter, Kathy Anne in 1954. Relatives and friends may call 6-9 p.m. Monday at St. Mark Catholic Church, where a funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday. Interment will be at the parish cemetery. Those who wish may contribute in his memory to the St. Mark Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund, P.O. Box 195, Ashland, ME 04732. Arrangements are a service of Stimson-Ouellette Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St., Ashland. To leave online condolences, please visit www.ouellettefuneralhome.com
DANA L. RAFFORD
