FALMOUTH – Born in a blizzard March 10, 1924, in Duluth, Minn., Charles R. Sanford passed away during a blizzard Jan. 12, 2011, suffering heart complications from pneumonia. An accomplished high school athlete, Chuck was offered a football scholarship to the University of Minnesota. Like most young men of that day, he instead enlisted in the Army Air Corp to become a B-17 bomber pilot with the 100th Bomb Group. Known as the Bloody 100th, Chuck was 19 years old when he captained missions over Germany. A Maine radio pioneer, Chuck launched his broadcast career in 1947 at WJOR, Bangor, and later was a disc jockey and play-by-play announcer at Gannett Broadcasting’s WGUY. In 1952, he transferred to WGAN, Portland. Chuck wore many hats in his long career at WGAN, from radio manager and news director to vice president and other executive roles. He was named Broadcaster of the Year in 1976 and was inducted into Maine Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1993. He retired from broadcasting in 1986. During the administration of President Carter, Chuck was appointed to the role of civilian aide to the secretary of the Army. He proudly served in that capacity for 14 years. Chuck had a lifelong passion for all outdoor activities. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and continued to play golf into 2010. One of his most favorite getaways was Smith Pond Camp, Elliotsville Plantation, where he hunted and fished for 60 years. The love he had for all things in nature exemplified the core principals he held most dear. After retirement Chuck pursued his passion for cooking, writing and publishing Chuck’s Camp Cookbook. His baked beans and cinnamon rolls were legendary among friends and family. He also authored Chuck’s Story, the story of Chuck Sanford as well as he could remember. It was a life worth living. Chuck was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, June Pullen Sanford. He will be celebrated every day by his daughter, Jo-Ellyn Harris and partner, Jay Couture, of Weare, N.H.; son, Scott Sanford and wife, Nonie Kimball, of Falmouth; and grandchildren, Jarad Slipp and wife, Anna McCollister Slipp, of Washington, D.C., Justin Slipp of Portland, Ryan Bullock and wife, Jamie, of Bowdoinham, Seth Bullock, Benjamin and Adrienne Sanford of Falmouth. Chuck lived his final years at Ocean View at Falmouth, truly enjoying the community of new friends and experiences. He enjoyed the companionship and love of the family of Catherine Stratford of Ocean View. Visiting hours will be held 3-5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland, where there will be a memorial service 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16.
CHARLES ROLAND SANFORD
