John ''Popsie'' Otis Sanford
Born December 7th 1958 passed away unexpectedly November 4 2023. He graduated from Nyack High School in 1977 where he was considered a " legend" on the basketball court. He was passionate about all sports but especially football, Sundays you could find him in his chair "in the red zone" managing his football teams and smack talking the cowboys while begrudgingly rooting for the Giants. He's worked at Beckerle Lumber for 28 years first in the Orangeburg location and now in the Spring Valley location. He was a member at St. Charles AME Zion Sparkill where he served on the men's prayer ministry, class leader #13 and the Trustee Board. He was incredibly devoted to God, he would go out of his way to help anyone in anyway no questions asked. He was larger than life a big Teddy bear with a great laugh a true gentle giant. He is survived by his wife Sandy who he said saved his life 37 years ago and anyone who knew him knows it was true. His daughters Brandie and Shannon (Piermont NY), son John (Piermont NY), daughter Erica and grandson EJ (Scarsdale NY) and daughter Keisha (Woody) Brandy and grandson Jalen. His brother Bernard Swann (North Carolina), Donna Swann Stephens (New City NY), Yvonne (John) Beamon (Garnerville NY), Brad Swann (Poughkeepsie NY), Gloria Sanford (North Carolina), Lewis Jordan (NYC), Sister Vanessa (Clarence) Cannon and Maryanne White as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who meant the world to him. He is predeceased in death by his mother Mary Swann and father William Sanford brothers Albert (Butch) Swann, Lawrence Swann, Dennis Swann, William (Chet) Swann, Theodore Pritchard and Wayne Overton as well as his sister Betty Elder. He was a friend to everyone and loved by so many a wake will be held at Hannemans Funeral Home Nyack NY Monday 11/13/2023 from 4-8. A viewing at 10 am before the Homegoing service will be at St. Charles AME in Sparkill NY 11/14/2023 at 11 am with cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations in his honor to The American Cancer Society, St Charles AME church and The American Heart Association.