ILION - Timothy Esford, 66, of Ward Street, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, April 1, 2004, in St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Utica. He had the comfort of his loving family at his side. He was born July 5, 1937, in Dexter, son of the late Harold G. Sr. and Leta Roberts Esford. In 1944, Tim and his family moved to Utica, coming from Dexter. He was raised in Utica and was a graduate of Utica Free Academy. Upon completing high school in 1955, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he proudly served until he was honorably discharged in 1958. On March 18, 1961, he married the former Patricia A. Furrer in St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, Ilion, They resided in Ilion since 1961, coming from Utica. For 30 years he had worked for the Remington Arms Co., retiring as a tool inspector in 1995. Tim had a strong belief in God and led a devoted Christian life. He was a member of the Paines Hollow Church. Mr. Esford was also a member of Ilion Olive Branch Lodge 40 Free and Accepted Masons, where he had served as Master in 1993. He belonged to Iroquois Chapter 236 Royal Arch Masons and was a former member of the Knights Templar. He was a member of both Evening Star Valley Chapter 82 Order of the Eastern Star, where he was a past patron, Mohawk Chapter 319 Order of the Eastern Star and was a past district grand lecturer of the Order Eastern Star. His Masonic activities also included being a former adviser for Triangle and the Order of DeMolay. At one time he had coached in the Babe Ruth League Baseball. Tim took great pleasure in the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was a member of the Ilion Fish and Game Club. He was a Friend of the Ilion Public Library. Tim had a great interest in genealogy and spent a great deal of time working on the family tree. He was happiest when he was surrounded by his many friends and family, especially his two grandchildren. Surviving are his beloved wife of 43 years, Patricia; one son, Steven and his wife Donna Esford of Ilion; a daughter, Terri and her husband Paul Nichols of Clinton; three brothers, Donald Esford of Lake Butler, Fla., Jack Esford of Bethany, Okla., and William Esford of Utica; two sisters, Audrey Spencer of Dexter and Marjorie DeStefano of Utica; two grandchildren, Kaitlin and Tyler Esford of Ilion; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Harold, Robert, David and Carleton Esford, a sister, Joyce Esford and his cherished daughter, Leanne Esford in 2001. Funeral service will be held on Sunday at 3 p.m. in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court St., Herkimer. The Rev. Roger K. Klossner, pastor of the Paines Hollow Church, and the Rev. George Greene will officiate. Mr. Esford will be laid to rest in Armory Hill Cemetery at a time convenient to the family. The family will be present to receive relatives and friends in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court St., Herkimer, on Saturday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Members of Mohawk Chapter 319 OES are asked to meet at the funeral home at 6:45 p.m. for ritualistic services. Members of Ilion Olive Branch Lodge 40 F&AM are asked to meet at the funeral home at 7 p.m. for ritualistic services. Memorial donations may be made to the Herkimer Special Olympics, CNYDSO, P.O. Box 550, Rome 13440. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the St. Elizabeth Medical Center ICU nurses and doctors Kachare and Wassel for their care and compassion shown to Tim during his illness.