ERLAND A. DANFORTH SR.

SOUTH CHINA – Erland A. Danforth Sr., 79, died Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007, at his home after a long illness. He was born Oct. 6, 1927 in Bowdoin, the son of Ernest and Clarissa Danforth. He entered the Air Force in September 1951 and was honorably discharged in June 1953. For 33 years he was employed by the state of Maine as a grader operator and retired as a crew foreman in Franklin County in 1977. Retirement consisted of very busy schedule training/racing horses and construction work. Having been around Maine harness racing for a number of years, he certainly enjoyed all aspects particularly the many friendships that were made with other owners, trainers and drivers. Throughout the years his focus shifted from horse training to track maintenance and conditioning. With his knowledge and grader operating abilities he became very busy, working different tracks throughout the state. He said he liked racing horses, but he always got a paycheck with the grader. He took great pride in putting out a pretty good surface. He received recognition for his work done on various tracks around the state of Maine. In 1991, he received Trackman of the Year at the Bangor Raceway; fastest track in Maine. Mitch Gallant president of the Downeast Harness Horseman’s Association was quoted in the Bangor Daily News as saying “the track right now is in the best shape it has ever been. They have hired Erland Danforth as the new track superintendent. He is a magician who transformed the track racing surface.” He also received the Track Management award in 1999 given by the Maine Horseman’s Association. He was featured in the September 1999 issue of Hoofbeat magazine for more than two decades as track superintendent at Farmington and holding the same position at the Bangor and Windsor tracks. More recently, he rebuilt the racetrack in Norway, Maine, and last year was honored by dedicating the Friday of their meet as Erland Danforth Day for years to come. Erland was a loving husband, father, grand-father, and great-grandfather. As well as, enjoying many friends throughout the state, he also enjoyed being with family, his work, watching New England sports especially the Red Sox and Patriots. He liked fishing in particular his annual fishing trip with his boys and friends to Bulldog. In later years, he liked watching old movies and visiting family and friends. He was a Mason and was an honorary member of the Morning Star Lodge AF and AM No. 41 of Litchfield for more than 40 years. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jean Shaw Gidney Danforth, of South China; four sons, Erland “Landy” Danforth Jr. and wife, Debbie, of Castleton, Vt., Richard Danforth and wife, Marly, of Hermon, Joseph Gidney of Sumter, Fla., and Ray Gidney and wife, Judy, of Windsor; daughter, Rachel Danforth of East Wilton; nephews, nieces, eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Ernest Danforth Jr. and wife, Nancy, of Farmingdale, Allen Danforth and wife, Dorothy, of Farmington, and Richard Gates of West Gardiner; sisters, Evelyn Baker of Litchfield, and Lorraine Hopkins and husband, Ernest, of Randolph. He was predeceased by his parents; and sister, Bernita Carey. He will be dearly missed by all. Visiting hours will be held 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug 8, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at Church of the Nazarene, Nazarene Drive, Augusta. Burial with military honors will be after the service at Rest Haven Cemetery, Windsor. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Farmington Horseman’s Association, 452 Bailey Hill Farmington, ME 04938.