Donald J. Bickford
"Beloved Uncle & Brother"
TEWKSBURY Donald J. Bickford, 77, of Tewksbury, died Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, after a brief illness.
A son of the late Harold and the late Mary (Gomes) Bickford, he was born January 16, 1934, in Lowell, and raised in the Back Central Street area of the City. He graduated from Lowell High School and joined the United States Army after graduation. After his honorable discharge, with the help of the G.I. Bill, he attended and graduated from Bentley College, receiving his degree in Accounting.
Don was an active social member at the Sac Club in Lowell, and was an avid fan of thoroughbred racing. He also enjoyed spending time in Las Vegas, having traveled there many times throughout his lifetime. Having lived in New York for a short time after his discharge from the Army, he was a dedicated Brooklyn Dodgers fan. He also enjoyed being a fan of most other sports.
Mr. Bickford worked as an accountant for Raytheon Corp. in Bedford for over thirty five years until his retirement.
He is survived by his sister, Helen L. Sousa of Tewksbury; his companion, Virginia ‘Ginger’Maniatis of Lowell; his nieces and nephews, Diane Trovato and her husband, Michael, of Methuen, David Sousa of Wilmington, Donald Sousa and his wife, Frances, of Dracut, Dodie Sousa Kane of Andover; and Dean Sousa and his wife, Nancy, of Tewksbury; as well as many great nieces and great nephews.
He was also a brother in law of the late Henry Sousa.
PLEASE JOIN HIS FAMILY FOR HIS FUNERAL MASS AT 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY, JULY 22, AT ST. ANTHONY’S CHURCH, 893 CENTRAL ST., LOWELL. BURIAL IN ST. MARY CEMETERY. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL (978 OR 800) 458-6816. MEMORIALS IN HIS NAME TO MERRIMACK VALLEY HOSPICE HOUSE, 360 NORTH AVE, HAVERHILL MA 01830. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM
