Joseph Hafford

HAMPDEN – Joseph Wilfred Hafford, 88, was received by our Lord on June 29, 2015, surrounded by generations of family love, laughter, and stories. Known to most as either Wilfred or Joe, he was born March 10, 1937 in Allagash, Maine, the son of John H. and Sarah Ann (Jackson) Hafford. Wilfred was a World War II veteran, having served in the Army, Army Air Force, and Air Force. He then retired from the Maine Central Railroad where he worked as a Switch Tender, Brakeman, and Yard Conductor He was married to Marie Germaine Hafford of Drummond, New Brunswick for the past 67 years and was a loving father, Grampy, and family patriarch who enjoyed fishing trips to the Allagash and keeping busy with family home projects. Encouraging us all to "live and let live", he was a man of amazing strength nurtured from his early years as a Maine lumberjack and known by all who loved him for his strong and embracing bear hugs. In addition to his parents, Joseph was predeceased by his son, John W. Hafford; granddaughter, Sarah A. Hafford-Reed; five sisters; four brothers. He is survived by his wife of 67 years; one sister, Albertine Brownell; five sons, Dale, Paul, Mark, Craig, Brent; one daughter, Louine; seventeen grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call from 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2015 at the Hampden-Gilpatrick Chapel of Brookings-Smith Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave, Hampden. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Western Ave Hampden on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., followed by the Rite of Committal at the Lakeview Cemetery, Hampden. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the Church Parish Hall following the Committal. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.