POTSDAM – After a courageous battle with cancer, Mr. Gary Rodney Sanford, 70, of 50 Barker Road, peacefully passed away Friday morning, April 28, 2017 at his home with his loving family by his side.
Gary was born September 14, 1946 in Ogdensburg, the son of the late Vernon R. and Iona M. Gilbo Sanford. He attended Potsdam High School and later achieved his GED while in the military. On December 11, 1965, he married Zelda Diane Bishop in Potsdam. On December 14, 1965, he entered the US Army proudly serving his country during Vietnam until his honorable discharge on December 13, 1971.
Gary worked at SUNY Canton as a roofer and tinsman until his retirement. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish, camp, and making maple syrup. He also enjoyed playing bingo with his wife and being on his new “toy”, his tractor.
Gary is survived by his wife, Zelda; his children, Diane Monroe and her companion Bob Lottie of Massena; Tracy Oakes and her companion, Aaron Pray of Ogdensburg; Nikki and Alex Jandreau of Potsdam; and Eric Sanford and his companion, Kat Tipping of Norfolk; 10 grandchildren, Melissa, Tim, and Dustin Monroe; Lindsay DiVincenzo; Jed, Jerry, and Jesse Oakes; Chelsea and AJ Jandreau; and Skyler Sanford; and his great grandchildren, Kylie, Jeremiah, Julius, Hayden, Alex, Piper, Zoey, Landon, Lincoln, and Samuel. He is also survived by his siblings, Glenn and Martha Sanford of North Carolina; Gladys Sanford (Harvey) of Brier Hill; Rodney Sanford of Watertown; and Linda Armstrong of Canton; and many nieces and nephews
Gary is predeceased by his parents, Vern R. Sanford and Iona M. Armstrong; and 2 sons, Gary R. Sanford, Jr. on February 22, 1975 and Michael Sanford on July 5, 1983.
Friends may call Monday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Donaldson-Seymour Funeral Home, Potsdam. Graveside services with military honors will be held Tuesday 1:00PM at the Madrid Cemetery with Rev. Lee Sweeney, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Potsdam Animal Shelter or the American Cancer Society.
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