Sanford was born in Russia on December 22, 1922, and was a resident of Lorain since he immigrated with his family in 1923. 

 

He graduated from Lorain High School in 1939 and enrolled in Toledo University on an athletic scholarship.  He attended Toledo for 2 years before enlisting in the Army Air Force.  The Army selected him to train as a meteorology officer and he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant at Yale University.  His overseas service included the India-Burma-China Theater and Vienna, Austria after the Japanese surrendered.  He was discharged in 1946 as a 1st Lieutenant.

 

After military service, Sanford entered his family's grocery business in Lorain.  In 1950, they purchased a store in downtown Amherst and he operated Slutzker's Market for 33 years until 1983. 

 

After a short retirement, he obtained a stock broker's license and worked with the Mid-Ohio Securities firm in Elyria.

 

Sanford joined Sprenger Retirement Centers in the mid 1980's as a business consultant and was affiliated with them for over 20 years, retiring in 2007.

 

Sanford was a prominent community leader.  He served as president of Amherst Community Chest (now United Way) and 2 terms as president of both the Amherst Hospital Board and Amherst Chamber of Commerce. He was a dedicated Amherst Rotarian for 54 years.

 

He was appointed by the Lorain County Commissioners to serve on the then newly created Board of Mental Health and Retardation (648 Board) and served as its president for 2 years.  He also served on the Board of Mental Retardation (169 Board) and was on the Building Committee for Murray Ridge Center and Workshops.

 

Sanford was active at Agudath B'nai Israel Synagogue in Lorain, serving as its president for 2 terms and trustee for 56 years.  He was a member of  Lorain B'nai Brith Chapter 863 and Lorain County Jewish War Veterans Post 222.  While wintering in Florida, Sanford was active at Temple Ahavat Shalom in Palm Harbor.

 

Sanford enjoyed golf, Florida sunshine, a good cigar, and was an avid reader of the national and business press to keep apprised of current events.

 

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Thelma (nee Goldenberg), son Steven of Amherst and daughters Wendy of Berkeley, CA and Susan of Lorain. 

 

He was preceded in death by parents Simon and Esther (nee Zelikson) Slutzker, brother Milton Slutzker, sisters Dinah Sokol and Rose Pohl.

 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 23, 2008 at 12:00 P.M (noon) at Schwartz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home for Funerals, 1124 W. 5th St., Lorain, with Cantor David Wolinsky of A.B.I. Synagogue officiating.  Interment will follow at Salem Cemetery, Sheffield Township.  Shiva will be observed at the Slutzker residence on Sunday evening at 7:00 P.M.

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to either Agudath B'nai Israel Synagogue, P.O. Box 3188, Lorain, OH, 44052; or The Community Foundation of Greater Lorain County, 1865 N. Ridge Road, East - Suite "A," Lorain, OH, 44055.