Charles Kenath Sandford, age 90, passed away peacefully in his daughter’s home on February 17, 2011. He was the husband of the late Eileen (Morrison) Sandford and the father of six children and two foster children. Born in Durham, Maine, May 15, 1920, he was the oldest son of John and Theodora (Holland) Sandford.

He graduated from Lisbon Falls High School in 1937, third in a class of 41 students. He attended Bible College in NH for three years until drafted into the Army in 1942. Secretary to the Chief of Staff of the 4th Armored Division, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, which included taking notes during a phone call from General George Patton.

He married Eileen Morrison in 1946, built their home in Amherst NH in 1956 and he lived there for the rest of his life. A devout Christian, he lived a life of faith, attending Chestnut Hill Chapel in New Boston, NH. Creative and intelligent, he continually learned new skills, devoting his life to serve the church as a carpenter, electrician, engineer, printer of the church’s publications, computer programmer, and treasurer.

Although diminished by old age and a stroke, he thoroughly enjoyed his 90th birthday tribute in May of 2010, where he was honored by over a hundred family, friends, neighbors, and caretakers.

He is survived by his brother Leonard A. Sandford, his sister Helen Evangeline McCormick of NH, and his six children, Rev. Dr. (Lori) Glorilyn C. Wiley, Dr. Cheryl S. Jenkins of New Mexico, Rev. Neil R. Sandford, Lorraine M. Miller, Earl J. Sandford, and Dale J. Sandford of California. He also leaves his two foster children, Patricia and Louis Tessier, nineteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Visiting hours are Saturday evening, February 19th from 5:00-7:00 pm in the Chestnut Hill Chapel, 219 Chestnut Hill Road, New Boston, NH. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 20th at 3:00 pm in the Chapel, with burial in the adjoining cemetery. Those who wish to honor his life with a donation may send it to the Chestnut Hill Chapel Cemetery Fund at the church address.

Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. To leave an online condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.