CFA stalwart dies

DEDICATED volunteer Edward Bickford was farewelled yesterday the way he would have liked - with a laugh.Better known as Ted, the Country Fire Authority volunteer was remembered by hundreds of mourners who packed the chapel and spilled out to the foyer at William Farmer Funeral Directors in McRae Street.The 77-year-old died of cancer on Sunday morning at the Anne Caudle Hospice, just two weeks after being awarded a 60-year service medal from the organisation he had worked tirelessly for.In a touching mark of respect, CFA officers formed a guard of honour for Mr Bickford’s coffin when it arrived for burial at the Kangaroo Flat Lawn Cemetery.CFA regional operations manager Mike Wassing was in attendance at the service and delivered the eulogy, in which the congregation was reminded of Mr Bickford’s work - not only for the CFA, but for other organisations.These included being a founding member of St John Ambulance and the Civil Defence (now the State Emergency Service) in Marong in 1965.Mr Bickford was also a sheep and wool steward at the Castlemaine Show for many years and a member of the Maldon Masonic Lodge for 30 years.He was also involved with the Ravenswood Valley Landcare Group.After marrying Ida in November, 1952, the couple had three children: Sandra, Max and Gordon.Mr Wassing and other speakers also recounted Mr Bickford’s dry sense of humour, and that he was able to find the funny side in almost every situation.His grandchildren were the most recent beneficiaries of his jokes, it was said.‘‘He had a great sense of humour - the story about losing the top of his finger was one of his favourites,’’ Mr Wassing said.Yesterday’s service also reflected Mr Bickford’s spirituality, with a reading from the 23rd Psalm - The Lord Is My Shepherd.Hymns, What a Friend We Have in Jesus and Amazing Grace were sung.As the sun shone down on the cemetery, the last sight of Mr Bickford’s coffin as it was lowered into his grave site was of a CFA helmet.