Leonard Kristjan Breidford

Leonard Kristjan Breidford, age 94, passed away April 14, 2011. The youngest of 9 children, he was born near Blaine on Jan 11, 1917 to August and Margret Breidford. Leonard attended California Creek School, Blaine School and Custer High School. At 15 he helped his father build the home on Loomis Trail Rd where he lived until his move to Stafholt several months ago. He married Lila Bame in 1936. She passed away in 2001 just short of their 65th wedding anniversary. As a young man working for the WPA, Leonard and his father helped build the road along the south end of Birch Bay that goes through the State Park. Later he worked as a deck hand on the dredge that created the first boat harbor in Blaine. He was also part of the crew that cleared land for the Bellingham Airport. As a young couple, Leonard and Lila picked apples in Eastern Washington. During WWII they both worked at the Bremerton Naval Shipyard. In the 50s Leonard began driving bus for the Blaine School District. Later he worked in the Maintenance Dept, retiring from the School District in the early 80s. He also spent several seasons working on cannery tenders in the Alaska fishing industry and pursued his love of farming throughout his life. While mowing the fields, he would slow his tractor down so the little animals could scurry out of the way. Leonard was preceded in death by all of his siblings. He is survived by his children Diana Christianson and Wayne (Chris) Breidford. Grandchildren Heather, Robin and David Christianson, Eli Breidford, Jelani Rhinehart, Jeremy Rice and Brigit Baur. He has nine great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Leonard lived his life with integrity and the inclusion of all. Services will be held on April 27 at 1 pm at the Free Church Unitarian, 1218 Harrison Ave, Blaine 98230. Instead of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Leonard's name to: Stafholt Good Samaritan Center, 456 C St., Blaine; Free Church Unitarian Blaine; Community to Community, http://foodjustice.org/programs; America SCORES Seattle, 2450 6th Ave S, Seattle 98134 http://americascoresseattle.blogspot.com/