Paul Sanford

Paul Sanford slipped away peacefully Monday, September 9, 2024, at Webster at Rye Assisted Living Community with his wife, daughter, and son by his side. 

He was born in Albion, MI on January 27th, 1939, to Luther and Eleanor Sanford. He attended kindergarten thru 2nd in Battle Creek, MI, and Champaign, IL, returning to Owosso, MI to complete his 3rd thru 8th grade. He was Valedictorian of his 8th grade graduating class, his commencement address reflected on ‘the joy of freedom and the sadness of loss’, which could apply today. He was baptized and confirmed in the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Owosso, MI, and enrolled in the Salem Lutheran School for high school changing path directions senior year graduating from Chesaning High School, Chesaning, MI. Paul traveled to Springfield, IL to resume his studies in Junior College while he worked in his dad’s restaurant. He met his future wife and after graduating Springfield Junior College with an Associate of Arts Degree, where he was initiated into Phi Theta Kappa Fraternity, they married and moved to Champaign, IL to complete college at the University of Illinois. Without the ongoing support of the “Sanford Clan;” Logan & Betty, Charlie & Mid, Dwight & Mid, making sure there were enough Bluegill to eat during the week, and transportation needs were met, meeting his goals may never have become a reality. A daughter was born in January 1963, and in May when Paul graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree, he moved his family to Toledo, OH working in Research for Libby Owens Ford Company. In January 1965 a son was added and the family remained in Toledo until 1981 when Paul accepted a new position as Senior Research Scientist with Erie Scientific Company in Portsmouth, NH. He loved the area and all it offered staying after retirement to his passing. 

Paul was a voracious reader almost to the end, an avid bicyclist and photographer, enjoyed cribbage, fishing, traveling, music, hiking as time allowed. His love of a stack of blueberry pancakes from Heberts and #18 from Kim Lai was well known. He found great joy playing with and walking the rescue dogs who came looking for a new life and when asked his proudest accomplishments, he would always say “his children.”

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carolyn, daughter Gloria (Ron) Sanford-Breton Kensington, NH, son Dave (Angela) Sanford Kalamazoo, MI, granddaughter Amanda Breton, Kona, HI, grandson Daniel, Salisbury, MA, grandsons Benjamin & Titus Sanford, Kalamazoo, MI, bonus grandson Matthew Kelly Kalamazoo, MI. 

He was predeceased by his father Luther Sanford, mother Eleanor Poberezny, half-brother Stephen Sanford plus aunts, uncles, cousins. 

His wish was to be cremated, and in lieu of flowers or cards, he asked donations to be made in his name to the Portsmouth Public Library, 175 Parrott Ave, Portsmouth, NH 03801 or New Hampshire Food Bank, 700 E Industrial Pk Dr., Manchester, NH 03109.