New Bedford - Roger A. Sanford, 80, of Westport passed away Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at St. Luke’s Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of Doris (McKnight) Sanford.
Born in Westport, son of the late Edson L. and Ella M. (Andrews) Sanford, he was a lifelong resident of Westport and had been wintering in Naples, FL for the past several years. A graduate of Westport High School, he was a machine operator for the former Continental Screw Company in New Bedford for 38 years until retiring in 1983. He also owned and operated Sanford’s Hatchery and was a former Westport Reserve Police Officer. A veteran of WWII, he served his country in the United States Navy, earning the World War II Victory Medal, the American Area Medal, The Philippine Liberation Medal and The Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal. Mr. Sanford was an avid gardener and enjoyed exhibiting his prize waterfowl and winning awards such as Waterfowl Person of the Year in 1984. He was a 50 year member of the Westport Grange.
Including his widow, he is survived by a son: David R. Sanford and his wife Alicia of Westport; a daughter: Barbara S. Lees and her husband David of Naples, FL; 2 brothers: Jay L. Churchill of New Bedford and Quentin A. Sanford of Tiverton; 7 grandchildren; 5 great granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late George E. Sanford.
Services to which relatives and friends are invited will be Saturday, February 24, 2007 at the Westport Point United Methodist Church, 1912 Main Rd., Westport Point at 10:00 A.M.
Calling hours Friday 4 - 8 P.M.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: American Diabetes Association, 330 Congress St., 5th floor, Boston, MA 02110.