Obituary of Ernest E. Tedford

Salem, MA - Ernest E. Tedford, 81, left us to join his wife Gladys, the love of his life with whom he shared 55 years of marriage, on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 after a lengthy illness. Ernie slipped away peacefully with his two daughters at his side. Ernie was born on March 19, 1927 in Peabody, the son of Ernest E. and Freida (Ludwig) Tedford. He was a Beverly High School graduate, class of 1944 and left school with a special dispensation in January of 1944 to join the United States Navy to serve our country during WWII. Ernie also served for many years as a reservist in the Seabees. He resided in Peabody for most of his life before moving to Salem 15 years ago. Ernie was employed for many years as a heavy equipment operator and truck driver for Laidlaw until his retirement. Ernie always had a smile, a laugh and a great sense of humor. He was blessed in his life with a loving family and a large network of wonderful friendships. Ernie and Gladys were lucky enough to realize their lifelong dream to drive off into the sunset together on many trips in their RV during their retirement years. He was a member of the VFW in Peabody and Salem, The American Legion and the Franco American Club in Beverly. He loved sports and over the years he played football, hockey, softball, bowling, drove stock cars at the old West Peabody Speedway and also played golf with the Salem AOH golf league for many years. The family wishes to acknowledge the staff and wonderful caregivers at the Grosvenor Park Nursing Home in Salem and thank all for their wonderful care, compassion and friendship during Ernie’s residence over the last year and a half. Ernie leaves his two daughters, Jean Hernando and her husband Ben of Salem and Ginger Coffin and her husband Bill of Beverly; nine grandchildren, Paul Cena, Timothy Hernando, Mark Hernando and his wife Theresa of Salem, JR Coffin of Beverly, Jennifer Bulger of Fitchburg, Robin Reid, Diana Hernando, Donna Estes and her husband David of Lynn and Sonita Hernando of Bayside, NY; 18 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews as well as a brother, Richard, of CT. He was also the brother of the late Donald Tedford. His funeral will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 11 a.m. in the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., (location) Peabody. Relatives and friends may pay their respects from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. The family will be receiving relatives and friends at Ernie’s home Thursday from 2 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ernie’s memory to the Roger Trask Adult Day Care Program at the Peter A. Torigian Community Life Center, 79 Central St., Peabody MA 01960 or the Disabled American Veterans, C/O 20 Stevens St., Peabody MA 01960.