Gary Dwaine Sanford, age 77 of Bark River, MI, passed away peacefully in his sleep, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, with family and friends at his bedside.
He was born on October 20, 1945, in Detroit, MI, the son of Willington B. Sanford and Vernis J. Hardwick. He was raised in Saint Jacques, MI, and later graduated from Rapid River High School. He served in the United States Army and is a VietNam Veteran. He married and had three sons, and later moved to Minnesota. He eventually moved back to Upper Michigan in 1996 and has resided there until his death.
Gary retired from Island Resort & Casino in Harris, MI in 2008. Since retirement, he has loved being home, gardening, baking, and watching the birds. His other love was fishing in the summer and deer hunting in the fall. He also enjoyed going for a drive down the country backroads with Char, his long-time girlfriend.,
Gary is survived by Charlotte (Char) Piche of Bark River, MI, his long-time girlfriend of 19 years. His children Kirt (Deb) Sanford of Cannon Falls, MN, Francis (Brandy) Sanford of Wells, MI, and Christopher (Carolyn) Sanford of Hastings, MN. Char’s children Tracy Vanenkevort of Escanaba, MI, Todd (Tonya) LaFave of Hyde, MI, Tammy (Bob) Flessati of Norway, MI, and Tricia (Ray) Webber of Wilson, MI. He is also survived by siblings Aaron (Donna) Sanford of Colorado Springs, CO, Bonnie Sanford of Escanaba, MI, Darrel Hardwick of Wells, MI, Dennis Hardwick of Stonington, MI, and Connie Fitch of Escanaba, MI, sister-in-law Dee Sanford of Kingsford, MI, and many nieces and nephews and grandchildren and great- grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents Willington B. Sanford and Vernis J. Hardwick, and his brother Melvin Sanford.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 22 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military Honors will be presented by the Gladstone American Legion Post 71 and the US Army Funeral Honor Guard with a Time of Sharing to follow at 11:00 AM. Gary will be laid to rest in the Rapid River Cemetery. A celebration of life will follow at 6337 South 9th St, Wells, MI.