John Tilton Lyford

BOW – John Tilton Lyford, 85, of Bow Bog Road, died August 20, at Presidential Oaks in Concord, NH. He was born in Concord, the son of Arthur O. Lyford and Gertrude (Tilton) Lyford Peaslee. He graduated from Concord High School in 1951 and received his Bachelor of Education degree in 1955 from Keene Teachers College. He then received a Master of Educational Administration degree from Rivier College in 1978. John Lyford began his career in education, teaching in Manchester, NH, then in Pembroke, NH from 1956-1964. In 1964, he assumed the position of Principal of the Bow Memorial and Bow Elementary Schools, which were combined into one school in 1970. In 1979 he moved to the newly constructed Bow Elementary School, grades K through 8, and retired as its Principal in 1987.
He was a member of many town organizations including the Bow Volunteer Fire Department, Bow Police (Special Officer), town Budget Committee, town Moderator 1991-1998, town Water and Sewer Commission, town History Committee and was town Civil Defense Director. He was on the board of directors of the New Hampshire Association of School Principals. Organizations that he participated in included the Society For the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing In America (charter member), the Bow Community Men's Club, the Bow Rotary Club where he was a charter member and President, and Governor of Rotary International District 7870 in 1989-90. He also served on the board of directors of the Merrimack County 4-H Foundation and on the Merrimack County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council.
He was on the Bow Mills Bank & Trust Citizens Advisory Committee.
His family includes his wife Lucy (Gucciardi) Bergeron Lyford. He was predeceased by his first wife Joan (Grimes) Lyford in 1987. His children include daughter, Deborah L. Dean and her husband, Philip Dean, of Dedham, MA, three sons, Colonel (Retired) Mark A. Lyford and his wife, Mary of Leesburg, VA, Jon R. Lyford and his wife Joan of Athens, AL, Daniel E. Lyford and his wife Sabrina of Dunedin, FL, and a stepson, Mark M. Bergeron and his wife, Iris of Atlanta, GA. He had eleven grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, a brother, Fred S. Lyford and his wife Mildred of Hollis, NH, sisters-in-law Karen Lyford of Bow, NH, and Jessie Comolli of Dover, NH, a brother-in-law Stanley Grimes (deceased) and his wife Mary of Pembroke, NH as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Two sisters and one brother predeceased him, Mary (Lyford) Chadwick of Bow, NH, Jean (Lyford) Bailey of Hooksett, NH, and Peter A. Lyford of Bow, NH.
Services: A celebration of life will take place at The Old Town Hall, 91 Bow Center Road, Bow, NH on September 15, 2018 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. This informal gathering will give friends and family an opportunity to mingle, share stories, and honor John's memory. Calling hours will not be held, as requested by the deceased and a private burial will be held for the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rotary International, www.rotary.org/give or Rotary International, 14280 Collection Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Bennett Funeral Home of Concord, NH.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.bennettfuneral.com