CUMBERLAND — William Goodrich Lyford, 75, died on April 30 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice house with his wife by his side.

He was born in Presque Isle on June 5, 1936, to Charles W. and Anna L. Lyford. He grew up in Presque Isle and graduated from the local high school. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree of science in education from Farmington State Teacher’s College in 1958.

After serving time in the U.S. Army, he returned to college and received his master’s degree in education from Boston University in 1962.

Lyford’s first teaching job was in the Consolidated Elementary School in Baldwin, where he was the first male principal. He later moved to Alaska, where he spent 30 years working in elementary education. He was a beloved hockey and track coach during his tenure in Alaska.

During summer vacations, he worked in Valdez on the Alyeska Pipeline and at Egegik helping to run the can shop, among other positions.

One of his proudest accomplishments was climbing Mount McKinley in June 1974.

While in Alaska, Lyford obtained his pilot’s license and enjoyed his flying experiences. He also enjoyed playing ice hockey and hunting.

He retired in June 1987 and that summer took a trip of a lifetime, flying and touring parts of Australia. After his trip he left Alaska and moved back to Maine.

When he returned home, he worked for for about seven years at the Maine Youth Center and was a substitute teacher in Cumberland and Yarmouth.

His family and friends will remember him as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Lyford was predeceased by his parents and his brother, James A Lyford.

He is survived by his wife, Jean; his daughters, Laurel E. Judy and her husband, Kent, and their children Taylor and Trevor and Elizabeth Saunders and her husband, Scott, and their children Aiden and Piper; stepchildren Glen E. Darling and his wife, Vicki, and their children Angela and Bryce and Sonya J. Lafortune and her husband, Richard, and their daughter, Monica; three step great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mary Lyford; nephews Timothy and Hal Lyford and their families; and his longtime friend, Alan Boone.

Visiting hours will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. June 1 at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth, followed by a funeral service at 12 p.m. Private burial will take place after the ceremony at Moss Side Cemetery in Cumberland.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lyford’s name may be made to the Casco Bay Hockey Association, c/o Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 7482, Portland, ME 04112 or Cumberland Fire & Rescue Department, 366 Tuttle Road, Cumberland Center, ME 04021.

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