Joe was the youngest son of Alec and Kathleen Garford and brother to Roger, June and Warren. He was born at Wistaria Farm, Maxey and he spent a happy childhood helping and playing on the farm. When he left school he started an apprenticeship at Baker Perkins. His skills as a craftsman were recognised even in his first year as an apprentice sheet metal worker, when he was chosen out of 86 trainees taken on that year to make a replica of the Joseph Baker Flour Sifter which was one of the products which helped launch Baker Perkins all those years ago. Joe’s flour sifter can still be seen in its glass display case in the Baker Perkins Museum to this day.
Joe; passed away suddenly on 28th April 2010
In the 1980s, after completing his apprenticeship, Joe left Baker Perkins and set up in business with John Aldridge, forming their own business – Welland Fabrications and Welding Ltd. Their first break was landing Pedigree Petfoods as a customer followed by one of Baker Perkins sub-divisions. Over the next 13 years they manufactured machinery and equipment that was exported worldwide and were associated with Mars, Rolls Royce and Mercedes. They also made machinery allied to the construction of the Channel Tunnel.
Still to this day Peterborough College awards the Welland Fabrications shield at the Science and Technology Board of Studies annual ceremony in recognition of first year student’s achievement. Sadly, the business closed in 1996 and Joe later started his own fabrication business including selling woodburners under the name of Blackgate Stoves. His workshop was initially at Wistaria Farm then moving onto Etton and finally Burghley.
Joe married June in 1995. They were utterly devoted to one another. Joe had two lovely children from a former marriage – Sarah and James. Sarah married Mark and produced two special grandchildren – Adam and Aimee. James gained his degree and lives in Leeds and has just started his own business. June has a son, Wesley, whom Joe thought of as his own and Joe was of immeasurable support when Wesley’s father passed away in 2001.
Joe and June moved to Rectory Farm, Etton in 2004 and they have been truly happy there, building a little small holding. In January this year Joe and June were blessed with another grandchild when Wesley and his partner Louisa produced a beautiful daughter – Ruby Elizabeth.
In the 1970s and 80s Joe played squash at League level. Joe was a cricket fan and travelled all over the country with James to see as many matches as he could. He was also an avid Dad’s Army fanatic and collected over thirty DVDs and several CDs.
Joe passed away suddenly on 28th April. The funeral took place at St Peter’s Church, Maxey on 11th May 2010. Muffled bells were rung as a sign of the great respect the local community had for him. He was carried into the church by his brothers, Roger and Warren, and James and Wesley, followed by June, Sarah and his close family members. After a very moving service Joe was carried out to the graveyard to the tune of Dad’s Army and was laid to rest finally by Roger, Warren, James and Wesley. Joe will be truly missed by all who loved him and his memory will live on in our hearts. God Bless.
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