Norman R. Stanford, 89, of Bridgton, passed away peacefully due to complications from lung cancer on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at his home in Bridgton.

Born on August 14, 1930, in New Bedford, Mass., to the late Benjamin and Agnes (Wheeler) Stanford, he graduated from Somerville High School where he was an outstanding athlete on the basketball team. One of his proud- est achievements was playing in a championship basketball game at Madison Square Garden.

While living in Somerville,
Norman and his brother, Ronald, owned and operated Stanford Modernizing Company. He moved his family to Bridgton in 1967. He taught Residential House Construction at Lake Region High School for 22 years and held a B.S. from the University of Maine. In addition to his work as a carpenter and teacher, Norman was a Korean War veteran, a member of the Bridgton Congregational Church, a member of the Lionís Club, and a fire chief of the West Bridgton Volunteer Fire Department. Not only was he born with a hammer in his hand, but Norman also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was very proud of his Newfoundland heritage, and he could sing along to a good ole “Newfie” tune with the best of them.

Norman was a devoted and loving husband to Jean Porter of Bridgton. They met in 1975 at a night class Norman offered at Lake Region High School and married in 1976. Together they built a beautiful home, took many memorable trips, planned, designed and completed a multitude of home projects and gifts, spent many wonderful months at their winter home in Winter Haven, Fla., and loved and enjoyed their many children, grand- children and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Jean; sons, Raymond Stanford (wife Christine) of Naples, Robert Stanford (wife Pam) of Brunswick, Donald Stanford (wife Susan) of Waterford, Rev. Mark Stanford (wife Jane) of Bangor; stepsons Rick Dyer (wife Pam) of Harrison, Ret. Col. John Dyer (wife Carsey) of Hawaii, stepdaughter Teresa Dyer (husband Tom Ferent) of Bridgton; brothers Clarence Stanford (wife Rita) of Somerville, Mass., Allen Stanford (wife Loralee) of Winter Haven, Fla., and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his sons Daniel Stanford and William (Bill) Stanford, brothers Ronald Stanford and George Stanford, and his sisters Francis Elliot, Barbara Dyer and Eleanor Mercer.

The family wishes to extend its gratitude and thanks to the nurses and staff of the Androscoggin Hospice House for their lov- ing care.

There will be no formal ceremony at this time.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 8 Elm Street, Bridgton. Online con- dolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.