DC David A. Sanford, Westport F.D. (Ret)

[CFI609D 119]

David A. Sanford, 62, retired Deputy Fire Chief of Westport, of West Redding, beloved husband of Barbara S. (Bonner) Sanford, passed away peacefully at Danbury Hospital, Tuesday January 30, 2007, after a long illness. David was born in Danbury, February 1, 1944, son of Marjorie (Evans) Sanford, of Chelsea, Vt. and the late John B. Sanford, Jr.

He graduated from Joel Barlow High School, class of "62" and was a lifelong West Redding resident. He joined the U.S. Army in December of 1963 and served two tours of duty in Vietnam, where he attained the rank of Staff Sgt. E-6. He earned the Army Commendation Medal, The National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal w/devise. He was honorably discharged in May of 1969.

David was appointed to the Danbury Fire Department, in July of 1969, as a career firefighter, through March 1973. He was then appointed to the Wilton Fire Department, in March of 1973, as a career firefighter and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1974 and then promoted to Deputy Chief / Deputy Fire Marshal, in 1976. He was appointed Deputy Chief / Training Officer of the Westport Fire Department, in May of 1980 until retirement in January of 1988. He was employed as District Sales Manager for Shipman's Fire Equipment Company, Inc, from March 1988, until retirement in December 2006. He was Fire Marshal for West Redding from 1978 to present and had served as a Past Chief for the West Redding Fire Department. He was the first to become certified as a Fire Service Instructor, in the State of Connecticut and went on to teach throughout his career.

He was an adjunct professor at the Waterbury State Technical College from 1979 to 1990. He was an accomplished drummer, first with recording artists, Ward Wellman and the Kents and Mickey and the Ambassadors. He was most proud of being a member of the Connecticut Firefighters Pipes and Drums, as Drum Sergeant, playing at fire service functions, including Governor M. Jodi Rell's Inauguration. He was a baseball coach for the Boys Club of Redding, where he coached Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball. He was a Senior Hunter Safety Instructor for the State of Connecticut, as well as Deer Warden, for the Town of Redding. He loved to hunt and teach the sport, especially to junior hunters. He was a member of Fairfield County Fire Chiefs, Pootatuck Archers and Stamford Fish and Game Club.

He cherished his wife, Barbara, of 40 years and adored his children and grandchildren. He is survived by a son, Brian Sanford and wife, Leslie, a daughter, Denise (Sanford) McKay and loving companion, Jeff Kopko, three grandchildren: Devin J. Sanford, Kyle D. Sanford and Jordan L. McKay, three brothers: John B. "Jack" Sanford III and wife Edith of West Redding, Donald Sanford and wife Sally, of Chelsea, Vt. and Bruce Sanford and wife Jackie, of West Redding, two sisters-in-law: Shirley Martin and husband George, of New York and Charlene Sullivan and husband James, of South Carolina; a brother-in-law, Ralph Nathanson and wife Cheryl of Bethel and many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his mother and father-in-law, Charles and Sylvia Bonner.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick Church, Redding, Friday at 11 a.m.

Burial will be in Umpawaug Cemetery, West Redding.

Friends may call at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m.

David was always a Soldier, Patriot and a True American Hero.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the West Redding Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 9, West Redding, CT 06896, the Redding Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, 186 Black Rock Turnpike, Redding, CT 06876, Connecticut Firefighters Pipes and Drums, 276 Newtown Turnpike, West Redding, CT 06896 or the Bethel Visiting Nurse Association, 1 School St., Bethel, CT 06801.

Published in the News Times on 1/31/2007.

[CHIEFPHIL 90]

David was a good friend of mine, a confidant and a mentor. I will truly miss this man.

Rest in peace brother.

[Guest]

Dave was a wonderful person. He was always willing to help anyone with anything. Helping others is what his life was all about. I think that everything that he has been involved in durring his life is better because of him.

Thank You for making the world a better place, Rest in Peace.