Franklin Sanborn

Franklin Sanborn passed away May 11th at his home in Orford. He was born in Orford in 1932 to Joseph and Ruth (Franklin) Sanborn. Franklin lived an orphan most of his life in Orford where he grew up on his grandparent’s farm. He enlisted in the navy in 1951 and served 4 years. Upon his discharge from the navy, he entered the construction industry. One of the first big projects he worked on was Moore Dam. Franklin went to work for Wexler construction in Connecticut where he worked on several of the large buildings in Hartford. Later he went to work for Trumbull-Nelson in Hanover and eventually became a superintendent.
In 1964 he married Kathleen Blake; they were married for 32 years. They have three children, Stephen, Lonny (wife Michelle) and Cindy Sanborn.
Franklin was always interested in nature and engineering. He was always curious how thing worked and how the nature formations were formed.
He loved spending time with the family at the beach, and county fairs. Showing his children and then his grandchildren the farm implements in the museums. They were always surprised how many of them he had used growing up.
Franklin was a member of the Masonic lodge Mt. Cube #10 for almost 65 years. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a past master of the lodge. He was also a member of the Orford fire department for over 35 years retiring in 2001. However, remained a life member of the Orford Volunteer Fire Department Inc. In the 1970s he was an officer with the Orford police department.
Besides his children and former wife, he is survived by his grandchildren Brandon Whitehill (fiancé Sarah Burgess), Jenna Whitehill (fiancé Bill Bliss), Sophia Sanborn, step granddaughter Rachel Williams and his brother Harry. Predeceased by a brother Neil Sanborn. A graveside service will be held in the Orford Main Street cemetery on June 18th at 2 PM.
Hale Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family.