Mark Wendell Bickford

August 15, 1956 - April 2, 2022

Mark Wendell Bickford, 65, passed away unexpectedly on April 2, 2022. He was born in Houlton on August 15, 1956, the son of Wendell R. and Clara (Ross) Bickford. After graduating from Houlton High School, Mark was drawn to the sea, and that led him to a degree in Marine Science from SMCC and a long career as a Petroleum Inspector for several global inspection companies. Everywhere he went he made friends including at the tank farms and on the ships. Even outside of work he became lifelong friends with everyone he met. He loved camping and was a seasonal camper at Acres of Wildlife. He was well-known at the campground, buzzing around in his golf cart, always with a dog riding shotgun. He didn’t just drive around, he would stop and talk to everyone. He had a great sense of humor, and was known for his Facebook posts about LOBSTAH, Moxie, his UPTAHCAMP stories, and tales of Lucy, the “love of his life”, his German Shepherd. He was an avid home brewer, loved fishing in the summer, and had recently taken up baking. Mark belonged to several online communities where he shared treasures of Maine. He was generous, always there to help out his neighbors in need. He was willing to do anything for his family and friends. He donated blood more than 100 times, for a total of 18 gallons of blood over the years, including donating platelets and plasma recently. He delighted in seeing where his donations were sent. He was very proud of his three sons’ service in the Army, and sent care boxes to them faithfully whenever they were deployed overseas. And he adored his grandchildren and spoiled them. Surviving are his (trophy) wife of 37 years, Joyce (O’Brien) Bickford, sons Michael P Bickford and wife Jennifer, Mark P. Bickford and wife Danielle, and Daniel W. Bickford and wife Rebecca, and special daughter, Alicia M. Nadeau, his grandchildren and step-grandchildren (Darren, Julian, Penelope, Robbie, Lexi, Dixie, Faith, Easton, Brantley, Ryliegh, Ayden, Dean, Ellie and Emma), sisters Wendy Vermette, and Cheryl Grant, brothers Brian Bickford, Kirk Bickford and Kent Bickford, and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life is planned at Acres of Wildlife Campground in Steep Falls on August 14 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Everyone who knew him has a funny Mark Bickford story! If you would like to share your story, please contact us. If you are able, please donate a pint of blood in memory of this wonderful brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend.