John Sanford, Jr.

CHELSEA— John B. Sanford Jr., 89, died Friday, July 15, 2005 at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph. He was born Sept. 26, 1915 in Oxford, Conn., the son of John B. Sr. and Sadie (Pope) Sanford. He grew up and attended school in Connecticut. He was one of the last graduates from the Umpawaug School, and then attended the Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, Va.

He married Marjorie Evans May 16, 1937 and they lived in West Redding, Conn. A short time later, he began a long career as a game farm curator, working for John W. Livermore on the game preserve in West Redding. As part of his new job, he took courses at the University of Connecticut in animal husbandry and farm management. For the next 43 years, he served as the head curator and was responsible for the daily management of the preserve. He also served as the Fire Chief for the West Redding Fire Department for over 20 years.

He retired in 1980, and moved to the West Hill, Chelsea, just down the road from his son’s farm. Along with tending to some of his own animals, he also helped out his son, Donnie, with some of his farm chores. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping, and he especially loved to garden.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years; four sons: John B. Sanford III of Redding, Conn.; Donald E. Sanford of Chelsea; David A. Sanford of Redding, Conn.; and Bruce L. Sanford of Redding, Conn.; 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, a sister, Janice Jones of Mauston, Wisc.; and nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a sister, Gertrude Sanford.

An outdoor memorial service will be held Saturday Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. at his home at 13 Stone Road on the West Hill in Chelsea. A reception will be held immediately following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Branch Ambulance Service, Inc. P. O. Box 74, Chelsea, Vt. 05038 or to tthe West Redding Fire Department Ambulance Fund.

Services are under the direction of the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home in Chelsea.

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