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William Henry Telford, Jr., 83, Madison

William Henry Telford, Jr., 83, of Madison, beloved husband of Jayne Barrett Telford, died on June 18 at the Connecticut Hospice, Branford, after a long and courageous battle with lung disease. Bill was born on Oct. 8, 1928, son of the late Isabelle (Lawson) and William H. Telford, Sr.   A lifelong resident of Madison, Bill’s childhood home was located at 124 Boston Post Road in the East River section of Madison. He attended The Academy Street School and was a 1946 graduate of Daniel Hand High School. He then went on to earn an associate of science degree in building construction and architecture at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1948.

On January 13, 1951, Bill and Jayne were married at St. Joseph’s Church in New Haven in a ceremony officiated by the Rev. Charles L Hewitt. An accomplished builder, Bill designed and built a beautiful colonial garrison home for his bride at 131 Boston Post Road, Madison, where they happily raised their five children.

Bill joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952 and proudly served as a corporal for 2 years at Cherry Point, North Carolina, during the Korean Conflict. He was responsible for the architectural design of the U.S. Navy Yards, which were being constructed on the East Coast during wartime. He then visited those Navy Yards to help supervise their construction.

Bill was a very well respected building contractor who joined his father in William H. Telford and Sons Contractors & Builders, Inc. When his father became ill, a young Bill became president of the company and devotedly continued the work of his father, including the construction of St. Margaret’s Rectory and the original New Haven Savings Bank structures in both Madison and Old Saybrook. He built homes in Madison and the surrounding shoreline towns, including most of the homes on Cherry Lane, Lawson Drive, Green Acres Drive, and Society Drive, to name a few.  His honesty, expertise, and work ethic were highly valued by many beachfront homeowners especially when he restored and renovated their hurricane damaged properties.

The early 1970s, Bill entered a new venture and became an owner-partner of The Madison Coffee Shop with longtime friend, Art Feskanin. Bill’s wit, charm, and lifelong friendship with so many people provided a perfect match for the jovial banter and interactions that occurred daily in the popular gathering spot in the center of Madison. He remained an owner of the Madison Coffee Shop until he re-entered the building business as Telford Builders and, in 1985, built a new home for his family on a scenic Madison site. An accomplished woodworker, he also created beautiful pieces of furniture for his family.

To mark their 50th anniversary in 2001, the couple renewed their marriage vows at a mass celebrated by the Rev. Gerard Schmitz at St. Margaret Parish in Madison, where the Telfords had been communicants since their marriage.

A life member of Madison Hose Company No. 1, Bill served as its past president for many years and was a dedicated member for 53 years – since 1959.

Bill had been a proud and involved member of the American Legion Post 79 for almost 60 years. He marched in the Memorial Day Parade each year and actively participated in services at the boulder, cemetery, and waterfront.

For many years, Bill was also a trustee of St. Margaret’s Parish and a member of the Madison Exchange Club.

Besides his loving wife of 61 years, Bill is survived by his cherished children, Mary Jane Telford of Allegany, New York, Patricia Jones of Woodbury, Katherine Telford of Alexandria, Virginia, William III and Sharon Telford of Madison, and Thomas Telford of Seekonk, Massachusetts. He is also survived by his treasured grandchildren, Keith Jones and his wife Katty, Kevin Jones, Jacob Jones, Barrett Telford, Megan Telford, Colin Telford, Samuel Telford, and Nicholas Telford, as well as his adorable great-granddaughters, Kaya and Kyra Jones. In addition, he is survived by his dear sister-in-law, Katherine M. Barrett; his, brother-in-law, Jack Rooney and his wife Monique; his sister-in-law, Vonnie Telford; his  brother, Robert Telford and his wife Judy; and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Isabelle Rooney (1975); his brother, Francis Telford (2008); and his sister-in-law, Marie Barrett (2001).

Friends may call on Thursday, June 21, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Rd., Madison. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 22, at noon, at St. Margaret Parish, 24 Academy St., Madison. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Legion Post 79, 43 Bradley Rd., Madison, CT 06443; or to Madison Hose Company No. 1, PO Box 573, Madison, CT 06443; or to the Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405. Please visit www.swanfuneralhomemadison.com  to leave an online tribute or condolence.