FRED ALMON BASFORD

STOCKTON SPRINGS – Fred Almon Basford went home to meet his Maker and Lord, Saturday, March 4, 2006, at a local hospital. Born Oct. 11, 1924, in Waterville, Fred was the eldest of three children born to Ruth Goodwin and Wallace E. Basford of Fairfield. The family moved to their farm in Northport when Fred was eight. His children recall stories he told of helping his father cut firewood and haul it out of the woods with his own pair of oxen. He rode a bicycle six miles to attend Crosby High School, where he loved to play basketball. Upon graduation, he enrolled in the two-year agricultural program at the University of Maine. He lived in a little cottage there and worked in the livestock barns to pay his way. Uncle Sam cut his education short with the outbreak of World War II. Serving with the Signal Corp as a truck driver, Fred participated in the invasion of France and Germany by delivering supplies to the front and chauffeuring officers. He was awarded the Marksman Medal and a trucking medal. After an honorable discharge from the Army, Fred worked with an army buddy, Billy Blanton, in Florida as a truck driver in a lumbar yard. He eventually returned to Northport to marry his high school sweetheart, Clara Louise Walker. They started life together on the Northport farm with milk cattle and hauling wood. Clara’s sister, Irene Inferrara, invited them to move to Lowell, Mass. for better job opportunities. Fred worked for a six-fingered German named, Charlie Hass as a truck driver. Clara was a stay at home mom with their first born, Florence Elaine. A year later, the Basfords returned to Maine and Fred began a 40- plus year career with Merrill Transport Company, first as a driver out of the Bangor terminal and later as the manager of the Searsport branch. He returned to driving before his retirement at the age of 70. The company, now known as Superior Carriers, awarded him a trophy for Driver of the Year in 1992. A man of quiet dignity, Fred was often recognized by the Stetson hat he always wore, a symbol of his love of horses and stories of the West. After he retired, Fred took up baking as a hobby. An active member of the Stockton Springs Community Church for more than 40 years, he was affectionately dubbed “the Cookie Man” by the children of the After School Program. Fred was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Clara Louise Walker; and a son, Wendall. He is survived by one sister, Christell Ellis of Cataraugus, N.Y.; one “adopted” brother, Walter Kenney of Skowhegan; and by his sons and daughters, Florence Basford of Searsport, Adrian and wife, Gloria (Harriman) Basford, of Winterport and their children, Jennifer and Michael Cyr of Orrington, Amy Basford of San Francisco, Calif., Freda Wright of Bangor, Aaron and wife, Jennifer (Fleming) Basford, of Collingdale, Pa. and their children, Julia Basford of Cedarville, Ohio and Diana Basford and Benjamin Basford of Collingdale; son, Wallace Basford of Winterport; and great-grandchildren, Zachary, Hannah and Cooper Cyr of Orrington; as well as many nieces and nephews. Visitation hours will be held 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 6, at the Young Funeral Home, Searsport. A celebration of Fred’s life will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, at the Stockton Springs Community Church. Remembrances may be given to the missions committee of the Stockton Springs Community Church and to the Waldo County General Hospital Hospice Unit.