David “Dave” Martin Sanford, 66 of Amesbury, MA, passed away at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, MA January 7th, 2017, surrounded by his loving family after a long illness.
Dave was born on November 16, 1950 in Sidney, NY and grew up in East Guilford, NY. He attended and graduated from Sidney High School where he was a varsity wrestler. He went on to become an apprentice carpenter and ultimately became self-employed as a successful carpenter, remodeling and building many homes, including his own. Dave was known for his love of motocross and taking many adventures by camping and traveling with his blended family of children.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Devine) Sanford; daughters: Tracie Philippone and her fiancé Jim Dennis, Teresa Brown and her husband Shawn Brown, Melissa Rockefeller, and her husband Jason Rockefeller, and Michelle Sanford, and fiancé Michael McCauley; two step-children: son, Jeremy Devine and his wife Gretchen, and daughter, Danielle Devine. He is also survived by his brother Doug Sanford and wife Carol; nephews, Nathan & Eric Sanford (Doug) and former wife, Lorie (Landers) Lakin-mother of his daughters. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Gabriella Maria Cozzitorto, Emilie Elizabeth and Liam Patrick Philippone (Tracie), Madelaine Averie and Ean Robert Brown (Teresa), Tyler David, Evan Phillip, Brady Margaret, Allie Frankie Rockefeller (Melissa), Jennifer Ann & Michael Joseph McCauley (Michelle), Morgan Grace & Alexis Ann Devine (Jeremy).
He was predeceased by his parents, Martin and Marjorie (Wood) Sanford; and granddaughter, Allison Mackenzie Philippone (Tracie).
In 2005, while working on his own roof with his brother Doug, he fell which resulted in him becoming paralyzed. Dave had many obstacles to overcome yet he persevered to live with his wife Pat as independently as possible, with the help of his live-in aid, Tula Mitchell. He continued to love and support his children and wanted his children to continue on his legacy of forgiveness and love of our family.
Dave has chosen to have his body donated to science, to aid in medical research. His family wishes in lieu of flowers to please make a donation to the American Red Cross or the Christopher Reeve foundation @ https://www.christopherreeve.org/donate.