FALMOUTH — Daniel Bradley Gaylord, 95, of Monument Beach, MA, died December 25, 2007, at Falmouth Hospital with his wife by his side. He was the beloved husband of Judith (Peck) for 35 years and the late Geraldine (Walz), who died in 1967, for 30 years. He was son of the late Winfred M. and Edith (Bradley) Gaylord. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Elizabeth Coyle, Ruth Sheldon and Winfreda Whiteley.
Dan was born, raised and educated in Easthampton, MA and graduated from Easthampton High School in 1930. He attended Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, MA, graduating in 1931. He earned bachelor's degrees in English and Psychology from the University of Virginia in 1935. Following graduation he received a years training in various aspects of newspaper operation, working for his uncle E. K. Gaylord at the Daily Oklahoman in Oklahoma City.
In October 1936, he moved to Cape Cod where he began a 31 year career with E. Anthony & Sons, Inc. He was a member of the original staff that launched the, then, Cape Cod Standard Times on October 19, 1936, and was the last surviving member of that team. He held many positions in the company, serving as Advertising Manager, Business Manager and Publisher of the Cape Cod Standard Times, Classified Advertising Manager of the New Bedford Standard Times and General Business Manager of E. Anthony & Sons, Inc., where he was responsible for the two newspapers, radio stations WNBH and WOCB, Massachusetts Air Industries and participated in launching television station WTEV Channel 6, New Bedford/Providence. Dan returned to Hyannis as publisher of the Cape Cod Times after Ottaway Newspapers, Inc., acquired the corporation. He retired in 1967. Dan taught English and Journalism and was the yearbook advisor at Bourne High School from 1968 until his retirement in 1979. In 1980, he became a real estate broker and started Gaylord Realty, retiring in 2003. Also in 1980, he became the manager and tax advisor at the H & R Block tax office in Pocasset. He continued working until failing eyesight made tax preparation difficult.
Dan enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad. After retiring in 1967, he sailed on the S. S. Constitution for a three month Mediterranean cruise, visiting 50 islands and countries. He was a seventy-three year 32° Mason and Shriner and was a member of Abraham H. Howland, Jr. Lodge in New Bedford, Fraternal Lodge in Hyannis and Scottish Rite Bodies Valley of Southeastern Massachusetts. He was a life member of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, Melha Shrine Temple in Springfield, the Weary Travelers in Monument Beach and the Sandwich Chapter No. 221 Order of the Eastern Star.
Dan enjoyed watching all sports competitions and was a Celtics season ticket holder for more than thirty years. He enjoyed playing all kinds of games, but he especially loved cribbage. He spent many happy hours playing cribbage with his family and friends. Dan was a kind and gentle man who loved life and cared deeply about people.
His ever present smile and positive spirit have touched the lives of all who knew him. He has made this world a brighter place.
Besides his wife, survivors include his daughter, Lois Gaylord Allen of Pennsville, NJ; his grandson, Edward Eugene Allen; and three great-grandchildren, Marcus, Gionna and McKayla Allen, all of Pennsville, NJ, and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours are Friday, December 28, 2007, from 4 to 8 PM at Nickerson Bourne Funeral Home, 154 Route 6A in Sandwich, MA. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 11 AM at the Bourne United Methodist Church, 37 Sandwich Road in Bourne, MA. Memorial donations may be made to the Daniel Bradley Gaylord Memorial Scholarship, c/o The Cape Cod Foundation, 259 Willow Street, Yarmouthport, MA 02675 or the VNA of Cape Cod, 67 Ter Heun Dr., Falmouth, MA 02540. Burial will be private.
Funeral arrangements by Wilson Funeral Home, 479 County St., New Bedford, MA