Joseph A. "Red" Ryder

SANFORD — Joseph A. Ryder, known as "Red", 92, of Sanford, Maine, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2008, at the Newton Center in Sanford.

Born on Dec. 7, 1915, in South Barre, Massachusetts, he was a son of the late Stephen and Josephine (Brunelle) Ryder.

Mr. Ryder attended local schools in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

When the Civil Conservation Corps was established, he came to Maine and worked at Acadia National Park.

Mr. Ryder then served in the U.S. Army during World War II. One of the various medals he was awarded was the Purple Heart.

For 40 years, he was employed as a barber. During this time, he worked in Ogunquit, Gorham, Alfred, and Springvale and, after retirement, Portsmouth.

He was also a communicant of St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Sanford.

He is predeceased by his first wife, Noella Rouillard Ryder, who passed away in 1973, and his second wife, Anita Bourque Ryder, who passed away in 2007.

He is survived by his children, Joel Ryder, of Dover, New Hampshire, Stephen Ryder, of Portland, Maine, and Kathleen Parlin, of Alfred, Maine; two brothers, Dr. Robert Ryder, of Mashpee, Massachusetts, and Francis Ryder, of Plant City, Florida; one sister, Rita Parker, of Athol, Massachusetts; and two grandchildren, Joel Ryder and Shayne Ryder.

Visiting hours for Mr. Ryder were held on Tuesday, March 18, at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home in Sanford. A Mass of Christian Burial was to be celebrated on Wednesday, March 19, at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish at St. Ignatius Church in Sanford.

Burial will be in the spring at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Newton Center Activities Fund, 35 July Street, Sanford, Maine 04073.

Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com.>