C. Sanford 'Sandy' Murray

Sandy passed away December 10^th, 2023, at home, in East Lyndon, after a brief illness. He was born June 1, 1935, in Hartford, CT to Charles E and Frances S. Murray. He grew up in Simsbury, CT.

He attended schools in Simsbury and attended West Virginia Wesleyan College, graduating in 1957 with a degree in economics. He did graduate work at Boston University and received his Master of Education degree from St. Michael’s College in Winooski.

He began a career in education in the early 60’s teaching history at The Rectory School in Pomfret, CT, a small boys’ boarding school. He later moved to St. Johnsbury, VT and taught History and Social Studies at St. Johnsbury Academy for 30 years. While at the Academy, he started the wrestling program. Sandy was a successful coach, with his teams winning over 200 dual meets. He coached 23 Vermont State champions and the Academy winning the team state title in 1970. In 1994 he was inducted into the New England Interscholastic Wrestling Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Vermont Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2019. After retiring from coaching, Sandy took a sabbatical to study at Salem College in West Virginia to study athletic training, He returned to St. Johnsbury Academy to begin the athletic training program there.

Sandy was proud of his property, building a stone wall wherever he could find a space. He was a planter of trees. After retirement he started a craft business creating handmade walking sticks and canes. He and his wife spent summers traveling to music festivals selling his wares. 

Sandy loved to perform and was in many plays with St. Johnsbury Players, Danville Summer Singers, and theater groups in New Hampshire. He played the guitar and enjoyed playing country music. 

He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Lyndonville for many years and sang in its choir.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Donna (Saegaert) Murray of East Lyndon; his son Stephen Sanford Murray and his wife Tracy Martino of Worcester, MA; daughter, Sharon Ann Murray Carse of Cape Coral, Florida; a brother Ralph E. Murray of Meriden, CT; brother John E Murray and wife Barb of Santa Maria, California; 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, a niece and nephew, and 2 cousins.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 2 pm at the Lyndonville First Congregational Church. There will be no calling hours.

Condolence may be shared with the family at www.guibordfh.com