He was born Oct. 6, 1927, in Bowdoin, the son of Ernest and Clarissa Danforth. He entered the Air Force in September 1951 and was honorably discharged in June 1953.

For 33 years, he was employed by the state of Maine as a grader operator and retired as a crew foreman in Franklin County in 1977. Retirement consisted of a very busy schedule of training and racing horses and construction work.

Having been around Maine harness racing for a number of years, he certainly enjoyed all aspects, particularly the many friendships that where made with other owners, trainers and drivers.

Over the years, his focus shifted from horse training to track maintenance and conditioning. With his knowledge and grader operating abilities, he became very busy, working different tracks throughout the state. He said he liked racing horses but he always got a paycheck with the grader. He took great pride in putting out a "pretty good" surface.

He received recognition for his work done on various tracks around the state.

In 1991, he received "Trackman of the Year" at the Bangor Raceway -- fastest track in Maine. Mitch Gallant, president of the Downeast Harness Horseman's Association, was quoted in the Bangor Daily News as saying: "The track right now is in the best shape it has ever been. They have hired Erland Danforth as the new track superintendent. He is a magician who transformed the track racing surface."

He also received the track management award in 1999 given by the Maine Horseman's Association. He was featured in the September 1999 issue of Hoofbeats magazine for more than two decades as track superintendent at Farmington and holding the same position at the Bangor and Windsor tracks. More recently, he rebuilt the racetrack in Norway and, last year, was honored by dedicating the Friday of their meet as "Erland Danforth Day" for years to come.

Erland was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. As well as enjoying many friends throughout the state, he also enjoyed being with family, his work and watching New England sports, especially the Red Sox and Patriots. He liked fishing, in particular his annual fishing trip with his boys and friends to " Bulldog." In later years, he liked watching old movies and visiting family and friends. He was a Mason and was a honorary member of the Morning Star Lodge A.F. and A.M. 41 of Litchfield for more than 40 years.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jean Shaw Gidney Danforth, of South China; four sons, Erland "Landy" Danforth Jr. and his wife, Debbie, of Castleton, Vt., Richard Danforth and his wife, Marly, of Hermon, Joseph Gidney of Sumter, Fla., and Ray Gidney and his wife, Judy, of Windsor; daughter Rachel Danforth of East Wilton; nephews and nieces; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; brothers Ernest Danforth Jr. and his wife, Nancy, of Farmingdale, Allen Danforth and his wife, Dorothy, of Farmington, and Richard Gates of West Gardiner; and sisters Evelyn Baker of Litchfield, and Lorraine Hopkins and her husband, Ernest, of Randolph.

He was predeceased by his parents, and sister Bernita Carey.

He will be dearly missed by all.

Visiting hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Church of the Nazarene, Nazarene Drive, Augusta. Burial will follow with military honors in Rest Haven Cemetery, Windsor.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Farmington Horseman's Association, 452 Bailey Hill, Farmington, ME 04938.