Craig Paul Sanford passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at his cabin on Lake Wallenpaupack. He was 71 years of age.

Craig was born on July 29, 1954, and lived his life in Bucks County, PA. Craig’s parents were Robert Russell Sanford (Bear), and Ellen Miller Sanford. Craig is survived by his wife of 34 years Mary Jo Sanford (Kuzmack), his son Craig Robert, his daughter Kara Elizabeth, Craig’s wife DeAnna, three grandchildren, Craig Jr., Sawyer, and Charlotte and his beloved dog Mack. Craig also leaves behind four brothers Robert (Susan), Drew (Kathy), Todd, and Mark (Kathy), 3 sisters-in-law Joan Keil (Ron), Helenann McCloskey, Jeanette Murphy (Byron), brother-in-law John Kuzmack and many cousins, nieces, nephews and great friends.

Craig was born with a true entrepreneurial spirit. He was always fascinated by mechanical things and quickly learned everything about motors, engines, hydraulics, construction, plumbing, roofing, and electrical systems. As a young boy, he managed two paper routes at once, fixed lawn mowers, sold beach towels at the lake for fun, consistently outsold everyone in his Boy Scout Troop fundraisers, became an Eagle Scout and upfit a ‘56 Ford Sedan Delivery with a big block motor, all before graduating high school.

He started his career at 17 years old at Bill Marsh Ford in Newtown. He always had fond memories of his time there with his mentor. One year later, he moved on to work at Harbison Ford, where he quickly realized he wanted to start his own business, so he opened Sanford Motors in 1974. The business started in his grandmother’s garage; he quickly outgrew that so he built his first shop on Robertson Ave., in Morrisville. In a few short years, he took the opportunity to build a new and larger facility on S. Pennsylvania Ave. - this was his final move where he would stay to grow his empire. 

While running Sanford Motors, Craig leased space to a medical waste company and realized that he could do this better. Sanford Motors Inc. became SMI East Coast Medical Waste. Within a few years, SMI was the largest independent medical waste transportation company in the Northeast.  While working, he still found time to fall in love with the girl next door. This love quickly grew into a beautiful marriage. He always said he was the luckiest man in the world to have found the perfect wife, mother of his two amazing children, and the perfect business partner in one person. Craig and Mary Jo married on December 1st 1990 and soon after Craig and Kara were born. 

Craig loved his family. Craig enjoyed his weekends on Lake Wallenpaupack where he could be found driving his Sea-Doo with his dogs or family and friends on his boat. He enjoyed owning, fixing and driving all types of vehicles including cars, trucks, boats, golf carts, quads and even heavy equipment. 

Craig was a larger than life individual and will be missed by so many.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 11:00am at the FitzGerald-Sommer Funeral Home 17 S. Delaware Avenue Yardley, PA 19067.  Msgr. John Eckert from the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Morrisville, PA will offiiate.  Visitation for family friends will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and again on Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:00am at the funeral home.  Condolences for the family can be left at www.fitzgeraldsommerfuneralhome.com.