Ernest C. Bamford Jr., 82

GILMANTON — Ernest Charles Bamford Jr., 82, formerly of Manchester, died on Tuesday evening, Sept. 16, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.

Ernie was born in Manchester, on Nov. 8, 1942, the son of the late Ernest C. Sr. and Bernadette (Sleeper) Bamford. Spending much of his life in Manchester where he was educated, he went to work at an early age to provide for his family.

Ernie worked for Armand Sinotte Concrete Construction installing foundations all over New England. In his earlier years he worked at the mills in Manchester where he met his bride, Pauline.

The old neighborhood and home on Eve Street provided him with many years of enjoyment and memories where he was known as “Mr. B.” Ernie loved to fish, go boating, hunt and target shoot, and even work tirelessly on his wood lot to provide enough firewood each year to keep everyone warm. He enjoyed listening to the loons on Sawyer Lake and his country music. Family and friends were important to Ernie, and he loved having a house full no matter the occasion, no matter the day, no matter the time. His door was always open; everyone was always welcome.

Besides his parents Ernie is predeceased by his son, Ronald “Ronnie” Bamford, siblings Emily Bamford, Irene Campbell, Alan Bamford, Jeanne Martineau and Doris St. Pierre, and his great-grandsons Logan J. O’Neil and Vincent Segelstrom.

Ernie is survived by his wife of 64 years, Pauline L. (Hannaford) Bamford of Gilmanton; his daughters, Lynn Berube and her husband Paul of Center Barnstead, Diane Sims and her husband Jeff of Chichester, Ann Foote and her husband Mike of Manchester, and Luceen Bouchard and her partner Norm Paquette of Laconia; his siblings, Charles Bamford and his wife Susan of Allenstown, Earl Bamford and Lucille Durant, both of Manchester, Andrew Bamford of Woodstock, Mark Bamford and his wife Wendy of Boscawen, James Bamford and his wife Mary, Elaine Bamford, and Dawn Morales, all of Florida. He was fondly known as Pop to his grandchildren, Justin O’Neil and his wife Andrea, Tia Fiddesop and her partner Evan, Nic Fiddesop, Michael Foote, Lauren Tallarico and her husband Steven, Tylor and Trevor Bouchard, Jake Bamford and his partner Devynne, and Hannah Bamford and her partner Shane; his great-grandchildren, Melissa, Conrad, Jamie, Elias, Aiden and Olivia. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive Ernie.

Visiting hours will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Sept. 26, at the Mayhew Funeral Home, 204 Daniel Webster Hwy, Meredith. A service of reflection of Ernie’s life will follow at noon. Private burial will take place in the family lot at Evergreen Cemetery, Pembroke.

For those who wish, Ernie’s family suggests memorial donations in his memory be made to the Lakes Region VNA, 186 Waukewan St., Meredith, NH 03253, or visit lrvna.org.

Visit mayhewfuneralhomes.com for further information, an online guestbook, or to share a memory of Ernie.

Mayhew Funeral Homes and Meredith Bay Crematorium, Meredith, is assisting Ernie's family.