Robert E. Sanford Sr.

Robert E. Sanford Sr. of Warwick passed away on Monday, July 3, 2017, in the state of Florida. He was 85 years old.
Born on June 5, 1932, he was the son of the Erza Burt Sanford and Ada Ely Sanford.
He was married to Sandra (Goodman) Sanford.
He served with the U.S. Army from 1952-54 during the Korean War with the 5th Cavalry Regiment and was a life member of the Korean Veterans.
He worked with Warwick Auto Company from 1948 to 1950. He worked in construction with Feagles & Sanford for three years, for Ford Corporation for three years, operated Sanford I, II, III Gas Station in Pine Island, worked with Sanford & Son Automotive for 20 years and Chimney Swipe (Ambaster Sweep) for ten years.
He was a life member of American Legion Post 214 for more than 50 years, Warwick, Warwick VFW Post #4662, VFW Color Guard for 25 years and he was a 67-year member of the Warwick Fire Department, captain of the Fire Police from 1969 to 1971, an active member of Warwick Ambulance for 61 years, a member of Mamakating First Aid Squad for five years, Rock Hill Ambulance for ten years, Chester Ambulance for ten years and a life member of Pine Island Ambulance.
He also was a member of Masonic Lodge #54 for more than 50 years .
He was awarded the 2002 EMT of the year for Orange County, the Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award, Warwick Lions Club 2013 and Warwick Valley Rotary Club and the Outstanding Community Service Award for 2014-15.
He was a former member of the Warwick Reformed Church, where he served as a deacon.
He is survived by his wife Sandra Sanford of Warwick; his daughter Cynthia L. Sanford and her companion James Shorten of Pine Bush; his son Robert Sanford Jr. and wife Frances of Florida, N.Y.; his step-daughter, Irene M. Smith and her husband Ronald of Chester; grandchildren: Ronald, Robbie, Christopher, Ashley, Jessica, Chelsea and Hailey; and great-grandchildren: Kylie and Jackson.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Jean C. Sanford, and a granddaughter, Catilin Feldner.
Memorial visitation will be on Friday, July 14, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave., Warwick.
A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home, followed by interment of cremains in Warwick Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Warwick Valley Humane Society, PO Box 61, Warwick, NY 10990.
For further information, directions or to send an online condolence, see www.lsvpmemorialhome.com.