NORMAN CLARK BEDFORD, 95, of Hingham, died on Sunday, May 8th, 2011 at the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth. Mr. Bedford was born in Quincy on December 18, 1915, the son of the late Henry E. and Bertha (Laity) Bedford. He graduated from M.I.T. in 1938 and was employed by the Bethlehem Steel Co. of Lehigh, PA as a sales engineer. He retired from Bethlehem Steel in 1945 to aid his father who was seriously ill. Upon the death of his father in 1946, he was elected president and treasurer of the Beckwith Elevator Co. The company was sold to Otis Elevator Co. in 1998.
He was a past president and director of the National Elevator Industry and the National Association of Elevator Contractors. He was also chairman of the Board of the National Elevator Manufacturers. These organizations directed the activities of the elevator industry, formulating elevator codes, safety codes and regulations, conducting nationwide labor negotiations, working with governmental agencies and disseminating information to the membership. Mr. Bedford was also a Director of Elevator World for 15 years. He was a member of Old Colony Masonic Lodge of Hingham and enjoyed golf, skiing, gardening, woodworking and traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico and South America.
Husband of the late Hilda (Lea) Bedford, he leaves his daughter, Sally L. Schofield of Westport, MA; and his son, N. Clark Bedford and his wife Leslie of Hingham. Grandfather of Seth Schofield and his wife Leena Mittal, M.D., Darah Schofield, Kristen (Bedford) Partello and her husband Wayne and Stephen Bedford. Also survived by his great granddaughter, Julia Hope Partello. He was predeceased by his sister, Dorothy Petrie.
Funeral Services Thursday, May 12th at 11 AM at the Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel, 21 Pond St., Hingham. Friends may visit at the Downing Chapel on Wednesday from 5-8 PM. A Masonic Service will be conducted by Old Colony Lodge at the funeral chapel at 7:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Cardiac Care Unit of South Shore Hospital, 55 Fogg Rd., So. Weymouth, MA 02190 or the Hingham Congregational Church, 366 Main St., Hingham, MA 02043.
Interment in the Union Cemetery, Scituate.