Karl Thomas 'Tom' Sandford

Boonville- Karl Thomas Sanford, Jr. 72, of East Schuyler St., husband of Barbara, passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. Affectionately known as Tom, he was born in Utica, on June 10, 1948, a son of Dr. Karl Thomas Sanford, Sr. and Ida Eberle Sanford. Tom was a lifelong resident of Boonville, where he graduated from Boonville Central School, with the Class of 1966. While in high school, Tom participated on the Ski Team, competing locally and at White Face Mountain, Lake Placid. Following high school he attended Hartwick College, Oneonta before graduating from Utica College of Syracuse University, where he earned a Bachelor Degree in Political Science. For over thirty years Tom was employed at Ethan Allen Furniture Factory, Boonville, beginning in the warehouse and advancing to Purchasing Agent for the Boonville plant. Tom possessed and enjoyed a lifelong interest in firefighting and ambulance service operations and he focused his interest and knowledge in a tremendous longtime service to the Boonville Fire Company and Ambulance, where he loved and served his fellowman as a fire fighter and highly trained Emergency Medical Technician. He joined the Boonville Fire Company in the fall of 1970 and from then on, Tom participated in fighting each of Boonville's many destructive fires as well as responding to countless mutual aid calls to help surrounding communities. In 1971, Tom enrolled in his first Emergency Medical Technician course, held in New York City, with other Boonville Fire Company members. From that point on, Mr. Sanford enrolled in many other EMT courses, advancing to the level of a Critical Care Technician. During his career as a volunteer firefighter and EMT, Tom logged over 3000 Ambulance calls with the Boonville Fire Company Ambulance. After he retired from Ethan Allen, Tom was employed for several years as a Critical Care Technician for Amcare Ambulance of Rome. During Mr. Sanford's years of service to the fire department, he served as Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief, 1st and 2ond Assistant Chief, Ambulance Captain and Chairman of the Boonville Fire Company Board of Directors. He was also a member of New York State Firemen's Association. At the present time, Tom was an honorary/life member of the Boonville Fire Department. However, when a major portion of Boonville's Main Street businesses were destroyed in a fire on January 7, 2020, Tom spent the entire night at the fire scene working alongside his comrades and volunteers. On June 17, 1972, Tom was united in marriage with the love of his life, Barbara Earl, at St. Mary's Church, Constableville. Mr. Sanford was a member of Boonville United Methodist Church, a life member of Boonville Elks Lodge, # 2158 and for many years he served as a Cub Scout and then Boy Scout Leader, serving as Scout Master for Boonville's Troop 13. During this time he camped with the scouts at Land of the Oneida's, Camp Kingsly, Camp Russell and Cedar Lands at Long Lake. Tom greatly enjoyed being one of several leaders who took local Boy Scout Troops to the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Washington, DC. Mr. Sanford was the recipient of the Silver Beaver Title, an award tor leadership in the Boy Scouts. Tom also greatly enjoyed camping, hunting and his membership in the Lone Pine Lodge Hunting Lodge, Kayaking, fishing and especially and above all else, watching his children and grandchildren participate in local sports teams. He treasured trips to Florida with Barbara and his family, where they stayed in Ponce Inlet. He was an avid Utica College Hockey fan. In addition to Barbara, Tom's loving wife of forty eight years, he is survived by one son and daughter in law, Scott and Krista, Boonville; two daughters and a son in law, Kristine and Michael Jenks, Schenectady and Jennifer Sanford and her significant other, Rodney Pfendler, West Leyden; four grandchildren, Sean and Dylan Jenks and Erica and Brett Sanford; his sister in law, Patricia Flansburg; brothers in law, Robert, Thomas, Joseph and Christopher Earl. He was predeceased by a brother in law, Thomas Flansburg, his parents, Dr. Sanford and Ida; and his father and mother in law, Allen and Rose Earl. Calling hours are Saturday, December 5, from 1-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, where a facial covering is required and social distancing and contact tracing will be observed. Services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Boonville Fire Company and Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 164, Boonville, NY 13309.