WESTFIELD – Eugene “Gene” F. Bickford IV, 84, of Westfield passed away February 23, 2013 at home after a long battle with cancer, his loving wife of 58 years, Claire Purdy Bickford, by his side. Gene was born February 27, 1928 in Boston, son of Eugene III and Evelyn Buckley Bickford.
He attended several schools within the U.S. as his father was employed by the Navy as a civilian instructor of pilots during WWII. Upon his family’s transfer to Westfield, Gene attended Westfield High School and shortly thereafter left to join the Navy. While in the Navy he was a participant of atomic bomb testing under Operations Crossroads and Sandstone. He served aboard the U.S.S. Ajax, U.S.S. Mispillion and U.S.S. Sylvania, a Veteran of WWII. After discharge from the Navy, he returned to Westfield where he re-entered Westfield High and, upon graduating, joined the U.S. Air Force. He was a veteran of the Korean War. Among the military honors, Gene was awarded the following medals: Army Good Conduct, Navy Good Conduct, American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the U.N. Koran Service Medal. Gene and his wife, Claire were married in St. Mary’s Church, Westfield, on August 28, 1954 and resided in Westfield.
Gene was a manager for Little League Baseball, a member of the Westfield Auxiliary Police, a member of the Air Force Reserves and during the summers was a volunteer cook at Camp Frederick Edwards on Pontoosic Road, a camp for underprivileged children sponsored by Goodwill Industries, where he was employed for 30 years, retiring in 1994.
Besides his wife, Claire, Gene is survived by his brother, Donald P. of Gainsville, Georgia and was predeceased by his sister, Louise Bickford Taylor of Sanford, Florida. Along with his 184 nieces and nephews, he leaves to cherish his memory, family and friends.
His funeral will be Wednesday, February 27th, 9:00 a.m. from the Robert E. Cusack Funeral Home, 94 Main Street (Route 20), followed by a mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter and St. Casimir Church, State Street. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery all in Westfield. Calling hours are Tuesday 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Claire wishes to express her deepest gratitude to Noble Visiting Nurse and Hospice Services for their kind and caring help.
