Wayne B. Hartford

    Hartford, Wayne B., 69, May 8, 2012.  Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home.  Interment held in the New Limerick Cemetery.
      NEW LIMERICK – Wayne B. Hartford, 69, passed away May 8, 2012, in Houlton. He was born March 7, 1943, in Miami, the son of Robert D. and Priscilla E. Hartford.
    He graduated from Presque Isle High School, class of 1961. During his high school years he was considered an outstanding athlete and he earned 11 varsity letters in basketball, baseball and cross-country. In 1960, he was selected to the second All-State Basketball team with four others from across the state. In 2011, Wayne was inducted into the first year of Presque Isle School Sports Hall of Fame. From high school he went to Maine Central Institute, where he was a star in basketball and baseball. From there he was offered a full scholarship to play sports at Husson University where he, again, starred in basketball and baseball. He still holds three baseball pitching records. In 1986, he was inducted to Husson College Sports Hall of Fame during its second year in existence. He graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. From 1960 to 1967, he played semi-pro baseball as pitcher for the Houlton Collegians, Lamoine All Stars and Mattawamkeag Merchants. Upon graduating from University of Husson, he worked briefly for Bar Harbor YMCA as its director before being drafted into the military during the Vietnam War. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967 through 1969, leaving the service with the rank of sergeant, E-5, a rare feat to do in only 16 months. From 1970 to 1980 he worked as superintendent of Parks and Recreation for the town of Houlton. From 1980 to 1983 he owned and operated Hartford’s Variety Store, Belfast. Upon selling his business, he then worked from 1983 to 2006 as transport/ maintenance supervisor for Region II School of Applied Technology until his retirement. In 2002, Wayne and his wife, Sandra, built and operated Seasonal Camp Rentals, a sporting camp business in Northern Maine. Upon his retirement, he operated his business during the spring, summer and fall. He spent his winters in Florida for many years. He was a lifetime member of Houlton Lodge of Elks No. 835, along with Moose Lodge, Zephyrhills, Fla. He will be inducted into Maine Baseball Hall of Fame in August posthumously.
    He is survived by a son, Michael B. Hartford and his fiancee, Faith Joslyn, of Portland; daughter, Julie McLean of Millinocket; stepdaughter, Christine Lash of Patten; stepson, William More of Houlton; an adopted daughter, Kimberly Dunlop of Houlton; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; the mother of his son, Donna Maher; and very special friend, Mary Ellen Blinn of Houlton. He was predeceased by his father; and his wife of 32 years, Sandra.
    Graveside funeral services were held 10 a.m. Saturday, May 12, at New Limerick Cemetery. For an online memory book and to leave condolences, please visit www.bowersfuneral.com.