Obituary of Donald Morris Sanford

It is with great sadness that our family announces his passing on Friday, January 30, 2026 in Northwood Halifax Campus with his loving wife, Bessie and family at his side. Don was born in Summerville, on May 22, 1932, a son of the late Wilford Morris and Marjorie Jane (Burgess) Sanford. 

Don was a planner and a builder who took great care and pride in everything he created during his 93-year life. As a professional carpenter Don started his career working for C.D. Dill, Swinamer & Eldridge and then worked 37 years for Swinamer Supplies in Windsor before retiring in 1995. He also taught carpentry night school courses at The Windsor Vocational School. He built the house in Windsor Forks where he and Bessie lived and raised their family. They lived there from 1960 until 2025. During that time Don and Bessie were part of the fabric of this strong community. Don generously volunteered his time as a 4-H Leader in the Avon 4-H Club and supported the St. Michael’s Anglican Church as Warden and Cemetery President for many years.

Don was well known for his carpentry and handyman skills. He always gave his time generously to both family and community members in need. He always had one or more projects on the go building a custom furniture order.

Throughout his life, Don demonstrated his pride and love for family through his deep and unconditional love during his 67 years of marriage to Bessie and his interest in and support of the lives of his children and grandchildren. Don created a life built with skill, shaped with care and finished with love.

Left to mourn with cherished memories are his devoted wife, Bessie (Peach); daughter, Darlene Sanford (Jeff Liem); son, Paul (Pam) Sanford and daughter, Kim (Geoff) Machum; grandchildren, Brandon O’Leary (Jessica Heisler), Alison Sanford Thomas (Joel Thomas), Rhys Sanford, Andrew Morrison (Sophia King), Abby Morrison (Xavier MacPhee) and Max Machum; step-grandchildren, Andrew (Olivia Tharme) and Matthew Machum (Sophia Ludovice); great-grandchildren, Cohen and Eleanor Thomas; brother, Gerald Sanford.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Carl Sanford.

Many thanks for the loving care and support provided by Dr. Nowlan and the nurses and staff of 5C Northwood Halifax Campus during his final year.

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317), where a funeral service, followed by reception, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 10, Archdeacon Rev. Father Tom Henderson officiating. Burial will take place at a later date. Donations in memory may be made to St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Windsor Forks, C/O 76 Old Halifax Rd. West, Three Mile Plains, NS B0N 2T0. Messages may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca, open the obituary and click on the condolence tab.