Utility Worker Mark Bickford is retiring this month after dedicating more than 29 years of service to Conway Corp and the Conway community.
Mark joined the company as a utility worker in the water department in April 1994. He spent his career installing, maintaining and repairing water and sewer lines across the city to ensure residents had fresh, clean water.
Mark was serious about the safety of his co-workers and was always willing to help new employees learn the ropes.
“The first time I met Mark was on a job on Prince Street installing a corporation stop on a new main his crew was installing,” Water Systems Manager Lee Tedford said. “I was new in engineering and was wanting to learn all the aspects of what the job entailed. Mark took the time to teach me the steps to complete the task. On numerous occasions, I have seen Mark take the time to teach the new employees the correct and safe way so that each one could go home at the end of the day. I hope Mark enjoys retirement to the fullest and gets to now hunt ducks all 60 days of the season.”
Mark was notoriously known for not wanting to bother with a cell phone or any technology but said his co-workers he worked alongside day in and day out were one of the main reasons he stayed at Conway Corp so long.
“Working with such a great group of guys makes it hard for me to leave,” he said. “Everyone has shown me kindness. We’re like family and I will miss everyone.”
Though he has his worries about creating a new routine, Mark said he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Angela and being a “Paw Paw” to his 19-month-old granddaughter, Stella.
“The hardest part is learning how to sleep in. I tried to sleep in last Saturday and woke up about 4:15 a.m.”
Bickford leaves us with these final words of advice:
“When you come to work, come prepared. Be willing to learn and ask questions.”
Congratulations, Mark!
