He attended Bath schools and enlisted in the Navy at a young age, becoming a submarine sailor.
He returned to Bath after leaving the service and in 1977 married Ann Sylvester, also from Bath. Rick worked for Gene Reynolds and Sons paving for nearly 35 years, and most recently worked for his friend Gerry Mitchell, Mitchells Construction of Bath.
Ann and Rick were married for 36 years and did not have children of their own, but had many friends who did have children and thought of each of them as their own. They shared many hobbies including fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, 4 wheelin’, camping at Longpond, and anything involving being outside or in the woods. Rick most enjoyed spending time at the “whitefield camp” where he was known as a “Legend,” an idle, a hunting buddy, and a best friend. He was loved by everyone who knew him.
Rick loved to make people laugh and was rarely serious. He loved playing jokes on friends and family and being the recipient as well. He was an honest man, said what he thought. This became one of his most memorable qualities, this and his kind and big heart.
Rick loved just shooting pool and playing cribbage with longtime friends. He enjoyed snowmobile racing with the Belangers, camping and 4-wheelin’ with the Daughin gang, and his favorite, hunting with his extended hunting family.
Rick felt the greatest love and loyalty towards family, spending much time at his sister’s large holiday gatherings at her home in Bath. He became friends with all of her friends and thought of them as his extended family as well.
Rick loved animals, especially his own little dog “Pig.”
He will be sadly missed by all.
Besides his wife of Edgecomb, Rick is survived by his daughter, Eliza Defreitas of Brunswick and grandson Quentin (Q), his big sister, Chris Hagan and husband Mel, a younger brother Marc Harford and wife Jen of Bath, a niece Sheli Boyle, husband Keith and their children: Alex, Matt, Quinlan, and Emily of Bath, his nephew Russ, wife Lauren and son Owen of Woolwich. He is survived by sister-inlaw Penny Harford and family of Tennessee (Terri-Lynn, Chris, Dalton, Jessika and Alex) and a brother-in-law Stevan Sylvester of Portland, many cousins including Ron Abbott and wife Laurie “Mickey” Rooney and wife Karen. He is also survived by former wife, Diane Larrabbee of Topsham.
Predeceased are Rick’s parents, and older brother Gregory Harford of Tennessee.
A graveside gathering will be held at 11 a.m. October 13, at Mountainside Cemetery in Georgetown, Maine.
Donations may be made to Lincoln County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556 or the charity of your choice.
To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
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