Lee Bickford

Lee Wadsworth Bickford, age 98, formerly of Niagara Falls, passed away peacefully on Saturday September 10, 2016 in Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence in Lewiston, after a lengthy illness. Born in Wilson, NY on August 31, 1918, Lee was the son of the late Evelyn (Carrigan) and Frank Bickford and was a 1937 graduate of Wilson High School. While working for his uncle, owner of Carrigan's Dairy as a soda fountain jerk, he met Lucille Jane Buck, who became his wife on October 31, 1940 and they enjoyed 40 years together until her death in June, 1980. He was drafted in the Army during World War II and spent the majority of his time working at Muroc Army Air Base, where he worked at a secret testing facility near Muroc Dry Lake, working on the XP-59A, the first American jet aircraft. He was also assigned the responsibility of restoring the aircraft to its original configuration and removed the extra passenger seat for observation, so that it could be shipped to the Smithsonian Institute, which is still on display. Lee was honorably discharged in May of 1946. After working for Bell Aerospace and Cataract Ice, he became the sole proprietor of Bickford's Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Service in September 1950, where he was known for his high quality work and fairness for commercial establishments throughout Niagara Falls and Buffalo. He was credited in trade magazines as the first person to install a window air conditioning unit in an area of the hospital (old St. Mary's Hospital on 6th Street) where absolutely no light could penetrate. He then worked for Edwards High Vacuum on Grand Island. As a handyman at heart, he was always tinkering and enjoyed remodeling his home. He enjoyed anything where he could use his hands - including baking and making the best apple pie and peanut butter cookies for his family and the Wilson Historical Society. He is survived by three daughters, Nancy J. (Angel) Martinez of Niagara Falls, Patricia A. Bickford of Richmond, VA, and Kathy M. (Christopher) Cosgrove of New Milford, CT; ten grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sons, Lee W. (Susan) Bickford on 4/5/2016 and Gary P. Bickford on 8/22/2016; and a brother, Franklin Bickford. Graveside services with Military Honors will be held Friday October 14, 2016 at 12:30 pm in North Ridge Cemetery, Church Rd., Town of Cambria. Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr., Lockport, NY 14094 or to the Wilson Historical Society, 645 Lake St. Wilson, NY 14172. Please visit www.hardisonfuneralhomes.com for online condolences..