Bernard M Sanborn

BERNARD M. SANBORN
ORFORD, N.H.—Bernard M. Sanborn, 97, died Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at his home surrounded by family and close friends. He was born at home on the family farm in Orford on July 10, 1924, the youngest child of Harry and Lulu Sanborn. A life-long resident of Orford, he grew up on the farm and learned basic plumbing, electric, mechanical, and carpenter skills which served him well. In 1949 he married his sister’s good friend, Bernice Finney, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2009 shortly before her death.
He attended schools in Orford making lifelong friends and playing basketball, baseball, and football. As a devoted parent, he attended all of his daughter’s sports events along with many of the boys’ events – even away games. Later he became a staunch supporter of the Patriots and could always be found watching their games sporting team fan gear.
He loved the outdoors and with a little help from his daughter, built a canoe enjoyed many years. He loved to fish and hunt, especially at Nash Bog Pond in Stark, NH and often brought along a car full of teenagers, later building his own cabin there.
He worked at Trumbull-Nelson Construction Company for over 30 years starting as a carpenter, soon rising to Foreman, and then Supervisor. He was well-known for excellent craftmanship, patience in teaching young workers the finer points of carpentry, and thoughtful assistance to customers.
Throughout his life, Mr. Sanborn was an active volunteer in Young Adults Club, Community Council activities (building children’s rides for the July 4th celebration) and in the Orford Congregational Church using his many skills to make needed repairs.
In retirement, Mr. Sanborn became an excellent cook and enjoyed making gifts for family members: jewelry boxes, cutting boards, hot mats, picture frames, even building a two-story doll house with authentic details including hand-made flooring, shutters, siding, and tiny shingles. He and Bernice outfitted the house with furniture from kits, handmade curtains, needlepoint rugs, and other handcrafts. He was most at home in the garden and delighted in sharing his green thumb, providing all the snap peas his beloved great-grandchildren could eat (and that’s a lot). He was very knowledgeable about local birds, building bird houses and feeders, and especially enjoyed watching them during winter. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, quick smile, character, giving spirit, creativity and ability to fix almost anything broken, and for patiently teaching great-grandchildren how to tie their shoes, ride bikes, bait hooks, play cards and games, and much more.
In June 2019, he was the proud recipient of Orford’s Boston Post Cane, an honor bestowed on Orford’s oldest citizen.
Mr. Sanborn is survived by his daughter, Paula and husband Len Graves, granddaughter Carrie Graves, all of Orford, and by granddaughter Lauren and husband Greg Marsh, and four great-grandchildren, Emma, Addison, Mya, and Jackson, all of Piermont, NH, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, three brothers (Joseph, Robert, Richard), and one sister, Flora Blake. There are no calling hours. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 25, at 1:00 pm at the Orford Congregational Church. Burial will be held at the Orford Street Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Congregational Church of Orford (UCC), PO Box 133, Orford, NH 03777. The Hale Funeral Home of Bradford, VT is in charge of arrangements.

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