Obituary of Howard J. Stafford

Howard J. Stafford, 93, of Kinney Gulf Rd., Cortland NY, passed away July 25, 2009 at the Cortland Care Center. He was born December 8, 1915 in Cortland NY, the son of the late Clarence & Anna Mae Eaton Stafford. Mr. Stafford graduated from Cortland High School in 1933 then went onto Cortland Business School graduating in 1934. After completing his education, Howard worked as a salesman for the Farmer Syndicate Feed Mill in Cortland. In 1951, he bought and began to operate his own dairy farm on Kinney Gulf Rd until retiring in 1995. His farm received the Dairy of Distinction Award in 1992. He was a longtime member of the Homer Methodist Church, 50 yr. member of the Homer Grange, Farm Bureau, and the Antique Tractor Club. While active with the farm, he enjoyed attending and working farm auctions, even in his retirement years. Howard enjoyed traveling but his greatest love was being with family. Mr. Stafford is survived by his wife of 72 yrs, who he married October 23, 1937, the former Lois Perry Stafford of Homer, daughters Nancy (David) DeAugustine of Fairport NY, Shirley (Robert) Romaninsky of Cortland, Mary (Guy) Forden of Pattersonville NY, daughter in law Sylvia Stafford of Avon NY,son David (Juanita) Stafford of Locke NY, sisters Betty Redfield of Homer NY, Eleanor Randall of Zephyrhills FL, 11 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, and many nieces, nephews, & cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, son Kenneth Grant Stafford, and siblings Vernon, Eva, Vivian, Leslie, Harold & Charles. Calling hours will be Tuesday 4-8 pm at Wright-Beard Funeral Home, Inc. 9 Lincoln Ave Cortland NY. A funeral service will be celebrated Wednesday 10 am at the First United Methodist Church of Homer, 20 Cayuga St., Homer NY 13077. Burial will follow in the Atwater Cemetery, Homer NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Homer or charity of ones choice. To offer condolences online, visit www.wright-beard.com Dave & Nancy So sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Joe & Mary Pat Thoughts & Prayers are with the Stafford Family during this sad time. Maxine Raynard Mary, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Lori Holler Thorbahn