Norman E. Lyford, 91, left for the next great adventure on Friday, March 16, 2018, in Meredith. He was born on November 30, 1926, in Ashland, the oldest son of Colby R. and Irene (Cote) Lyford. Growing up in Ashland, Norman left school early to serve his country during World War II in the Army of the Occupation in Japan. He returned to work as a fixer on the looms in the local woolen mill, later as a carpenter for his father, then for Kenneth Forbes. He became most famous as the "Iceman" of the annual ice cutting at Rockywold-Deephaven, where he had started cutting ice with his father at the age of 16, missing only the two years he was in the service, and continuing until the age of 86, standing on the ice in the wind and cold all day. He knew all of the various aspects of the process and his wisdom and experience have been developed into a guidebook so the next generation has the skills for it to go on. He was a member and former Commander of the Dupuis Cross Post #15 Legion and a member and former Chief of the Ashland Fire Dept. He loved to hunt and fish, particularly at his camp in Millsfield, and was always willing to bait the hook for the youngest in the boat. It was mesmerizing to watch him fly fish and a challenge playing cards with him, especially cribbage, which he taught all of us at a young age. He was an avid Red Sox fan from his teens when he would take the train from the Ashland Railroad Station to watch a double header. He was predeceased by his wife, Thelma M (Ferrin) who died in 1993; sons, Thomas who died at the age of 2 in 1952 and Stephen who died at the age of 64 in 2017; brother, Ralph Lyford and sister, Florence Chaisson. He is survived by his long-time companion, Brice Buckman; and son John and wife Jill Lyford of Northfield; daughter, Jane Lyford Sawyer and partner Bob Baker of Ashland; son Donald and wife Daniela Lyford of Northfield; son Paul Lyford and partner Debbie of Ashland; son Mark and wife Sally Lyford of New Hampton; daughter Sara Lyford Miller of Lakeland, Florida; and son Alfred Lyford of Plymouth; 16 grandchildren (Jason and wife Lisa-Marie Lyford; Sean Lyford; Jacob and wife Tracey Sawyer; Brita Sawyer Stevens; Justina Sawyer and partner Don Miller; Joshua and wife Kristy Lyford; Sally Lyford and husband Dustin Hartigan; Zachary Lyford; Nicholas Lyford; Kyle Lyford; Melissa Lyford; Ryan Lyford; Kira Miller; Derek Miller; James Lyon and Marissa Lyon) and 12 great grandchildren, (Nora and Alaina Lyford; Conner Lyford; Hayleigh, Robert and Kody Sawyer; Carter and Madison Stevens; Greta Lyford; Nolan and Wesley Fysh and the newest being born the end of February, Colton Sawyer Miller). He is also survived by his sisters, Gloria Glidden of Campton, Jeanette Stewart and Thelma McCormick, both of Ashland and many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held at the Dupuis Funeral Home, 11 Hill Avenue in Ashland on Friday, March 23, from 4 pm to 7 pm. Graveside services will be held at Green Grove Cemetery in Ashland on Saturday, May 12th at 10am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ashland Firefighters Association, EMS Fund, and PO Box 856, Ashland NH 03217. For more information go to dupuisfuneralhome.com