Sanford S. Witherell Sr. passed away peacefully at his home in Shoreham at the age of 96. He was born in Cornwall, VT, the second son of Charles Leslie and Estelle (Lane) Witherell. Sanford grew up on the family orchard in Cornwall and later in Shoreham, attending a one-room grammar school and graduating valedictorian of his class form Middlebury High School and Phi Beta Kappa with an English major from Middlebury College. Although he had hoped to continue his education in landscape architecture, the Depression dictated his return to apple farming in Shoreham. In 1937 he married Helen M. Kent, and they settled at the old Witherell homestead, the sixth generation of his family to live there. Sanford and Helen raised two children, Sanford Jr. and Virginia, and ran the family orchard until his retirement in 1975. Sanford's accomplishments were multifaceted. He successfully grew apples and sold his fruit to Champlain Valley stores for many years. He was a founding member and director of the Shoreham Coop Apple Producers Association. He was an avid historian and local genealogist of some repute. His lifelong research eventually led to the publishing of a two volume work, A Genealogical Register of the Early Families of Shoreham, Vermont in collaboration with Susan McIntire, a good friend and fellow genealogist. Sanford was vice-president of The Genealogical Society of Vermont. He was a founding member and longtime active participant in the Shoreham Historical Society. His historical bent and an innate artistic sense combined to make him an authority on architectural history in Addison County. As well, he studied and collected early American furniture, which may have been his greatest joy, evidenced to the very end of his life. Sanford was a longtime supporter and trustee of The Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History. He was an active member of numerous historical and genealogical organizations in Vermont and throughout New England. Of particular note, and where he may have his greatest influence and derived his most satisfaction, was his penchant in mentoring those who, similarly, were impassioned in the preservation of things old. Sanford was a Mason for some 70 years. He played out his earlier dream to be a landscape designer on the gardens surrounding their home. Who locally hasn't been awed by the spring splendor of his Persian lilacs Sanford is survived by a daughter, Virginia K. Carpenter and granddaughter, Susan A. Carpenter of Bethel, VT, a son, Sanford Jr. and his wife Margaret A Camara of Shoreham, nieces Nancy W. Hunt of Essix Junction, VT, Susan W. Julian of Citrus Heights, CA, Sarah W. Hildebrand of Fletcher, NC and Araby Wicks Leary of Longmont, CO and a nephew, Frank W. Wicks of Orr's Island, ME, cousins Patricia Matchette of Cincinatti, OH, Jane W. Rowell of Scarborough, ME, Col. John R. Witherell, Ret, of Fort Belvoir, VA, and Helen W. Cross of Baraboo, WI, his beloved "Kits", Todie and his devoted caregivers. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Helen K. Witherell, parents Charles Leslie and Estelle L. Witherell, brother Stuart T. Witherell and son-in-law John Carpenter. Burial will be private. A memorial service to celebrate Sanford's life will be held..... In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, Middlebury, VT, the Shoreham Historical Society, Shoreham, VT, or The Newton Academy Building Fund, Shoreham, VT.