PORTLAND- Sadness surrounds the September 12 passing of Gary Ernest Duford of Portland and Phippsburg, Maine, even as gratitude for all his life encompassed upholds those whom he knew and cared about.
Born on March 13, 1945 in New London, Connecticut to Ernest and Gladys (Sokolowski) Duford, he graduated from that city’s St. Barnard’s Roman Catholic High, following which he matriculated at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. After earning a degree in pharmacology, he returned to New London to work at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital. His time in New London saw the birth of two of his children.
Gary relocated to Maine in the early 1970s where a third daughter came into his life. He continued his professional life as a pharmacist at the Mercy Hospital in Portland, and subsequently Spring Harbor Hospital in Westbrook, before retirement.
It was in Maine that Gary met his beloved partner, Thomas Lee Hinkle. The two of them formed a profound and lasting bond. They enjoyed life as a couple in both Portland where they resided and were members of the Cumberland Club, and in Small Point, Maine, where they maintained a home for many years and were members of the Small Point Club. Gary carried many moments with his humor and cooking skills, and along with Tom, was known for immense hospitality and maintaining traditional social events such as their Winter Solstice dinners. Tom survives Gary and is living in Phippsburg.
Gary is also survived by his three children, Jennifer Cheney, Rebecca Duford, and Erin Duford, four grandchildren, Patrick (Kayla) Cheney, Daniel Cheney, Libby Cheney, Sunday McGoon, and great granddaughter Flora Cheney.
His sister Carolyn Muscarella, of Waterford, Connecticut, predeceased him, while he is survived by another sister, Evelyn Shultz of Salem, Connecticut, and a brother, Brian (Tricia) Duford of Waterford, Connecticut.
A memorial gathering will be held at the Small Point Club, in the Spring of next year.
Private arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com