Obituaries

Walter Nathan Sanford

Walter Nathan Sanford of Southold passed away June 1 at Stony Brook University Hospital. He was 54 years old.

Born in Greenport on April 21, 1958, to Walter Henry Sanford and Jean (Arnold) Sanford, he was a longtime employee of San Simeon by the Sound Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Greenport.

He was a Southold High School graduate and an undefeated member of his freshman wrestling team.

While serving in the Navy on the USS Shreveport, he traveled extensively through Greece, England and Norway. In August 1980, Walter and the entire Shreveport crew earned the Humanitarian Service Medal for their on-scene assistance to the Cuban Flotilla in the Florida Straits.

Walter was an avid chess player and an active member of the North Fork Chess Club for over 25 years. His favorite pastimes included swimming in the bay and Sound, walking the beach and visiting with local neighbors and friends.

Predeceased by his father in 1999 and his brother, Michael, in 1998, he is survived by his mother, Jean, and sisters, Holly, Melanie and Julie Sanford, all of Southold.

Visiting hours will take place Thursday, June 7, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold, where a service will be held  Friday, June 8, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Southold Presbyterian Cemetery.

This is a paid notice.