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Robert E. Fordham
Robert E. Fordham of Sag Harbor died on February 6 at his vacation home in Port Charlotte, Florida. He was 69.
Born on July 13, 1943 to Hiram and Dorothy Fordham, he was an 11th generation Fordham in Sag Harbor. He attended Pierson High School and joined the U.S. Army soon after graduation. After a tour of duty in Vietnam, he returned home and married his hometown sweetheart, Eileen Archibald in 1968.
Mr. Fordham worked until his retirement as a lineman and service technician for the telephone company. He always enjoyed the people with whom he worked and the customers he met. He was a member of the Phoenix Hook and Ladder Company of the Sag Harbor Fire Department for 42 years. He was known for his devotion to the aerial ladder throughout his time of service and held the post of captain and warden for many years. He also served as a Boy Scout leader, holding Webelos meetings in his home and helping young boys learn how to use tools and respect one another.
The family gave many hours to their children’s school, St. Andrew’s, running carnivals, fundraisers and dinner dances, as well as fixing broken items, painting, and dealing with other emergency fixes without hesitation. Survivors said he was a kind and gentle man who always had a story to tell or advice to give and adored his grandchildren.
Mr. Fordham is survived by his wife, Eileen; three children, Scott Fordham, Heidi Fordham Wilson and Kiersten Fordham Simmons; and six grandchildren, Kyle and Jake Fordham, Colby and Carolyn Wilson, and Riley and Lilah Simmons. He is also survived by a sister, Judy Gregory; a brother, Donald Fordham; as well as in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in Sag Harbor. Interment was at St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Sag Harbor Fire Department Benevolent Fund, P.O. Box 209, Sag Harbor, NY 11963, or the March of Dimes, www.marchofdimes.com.
on Feb 21, 2013