Richard E. Bedford, 85, a resident of Leominster for over twenty years, formerly of Acton and Concord died Friday December 27, 2013 in Leominster. He was the beloved husband of 63 years of Ardelle (Kane) Bedford. Born in Concord on April 29, 1928 he was the son of the late Oscar and Cornelia Bedford. He attended Concord schools, was a 1946 graduate of Concord High School, and served in the U. S. Navy during World War II. For many years, Mr. Bedford was employed as an interior decorator for the former Paint Pot and Kennedy family in Concord. He later owned and operated Richard E. Bedford and Son Painting and Decorating of Acton. An Acton resident for over thirty-five years, he was a founding member of the Acton Minutemen, was an Honorary member of the Maynard Lodge of Elks and a former member of the Acton Rotary Club. He especially enjoyed his hobby of building model wooden boats. In addition to his wife Ardelle, survivors include two daughters, Valerie Warren and Carol Shibles, both of Pepperell, two sons, Richard J. Bedford of Ashburnham and Peter K. Bedford of Dunbarton, New Hampshire, ten grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and a sister Louise Hufsmith of Tariffville, Connecticut. He was predeceased by his daughter Judith Taylor. Cemetery: Interment will follow in the family burial plot in St. Bernard's Cemetery, Concord. Service: A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday January 4, 2014 at 10 am in Holy Family Parish, Monument Square, Concord Center.