Dr. S. Ernest Sanford

I had the chance to work many years with Ernest, at Boehringer Ingelheim Canada. In fact he is the one who initially contacted me to see if I might be interested to work for the company. He was a good human being, with a lot of knowledge. One of the best veterinary pathologists that our country has produced, while remaining humble and easy to approach. He will be missed, not only by his family, but by all the veterinary community. My thoughts are with Sandra, the wife he dearly loved, and his kids and grand kids.

I worked with Ernest for over 20 years at the Huron Park Veterinary Services Laboratory, which gave me the opportunity to evaluate his skills, strengths and abilities. Needless to say, I was very impressed, right from day 1! He was initially hired as a poultry specialist, but had a particular interest in ophthalmology. Working in an area of densely populated livestock, particularly swine, gave him the opportunity to develop expertise in this industry, and he took advantage of this. He and the Huron Park Laboratory, became well known and respected in the county, province as well as nationally and internationally, because of Ernest’s ability to diagnose, analyse, evaluate and then communicate findings. He had a great and never ending interest in all animal diseases and management practices, whether they be roundworms in raccoons or hygromysin-induced cataracts in aging sows, and this was evident in his approach to diagnostic veterinary medicine. He will be missed by those who knew him, particularly by those who worked with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Sandra, Natalie and Seneca (Beth).

Sending my sincerest condolences to the Sanford and Hundey families. I only met Ernest and Sandra once, at Beth and Seneca's wedding, but I have such fond memories of his joy and humor. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.

Sandra and family - please accept our sincere condolences on behalf of myself and the OASV. Besides all of the contributions he made to the swine industry as part of Vet Lab Services / OMAFRA and then BI, he was also an integral part of the executive of OASV for many years and a life member of OASV. His guidance was integral to the success of the organization. A donation is being made on behalf of OASV in his memory. He will be missed!

Dear Sandra and Family; Ernest was truly a remarkable man and a world-renowned leader in the Swine industry. We were always honored with his presence. He will be forever missed. A donation has been made at the London Area Foodbank in his honor. - Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada Inc.

Dear Sandra and Family, Jane, Jill, Diane and I were very saddened to learn of Ernie's passing. We first met him when he was at Huron Park where I would often bring our 4 year old daughter Jill with me to drop off specimens in the late 1980's. Conferences were often opportunities for our families to get together. It was indeed a privilege to work with him at the OASP/OASV and also publishing a paper together. His 6:30 a.m. phone calls to discuss the paper became routine. Ernie only needed a few hours of sleep each night and that amazed me. He became a mentor of mine over the years and will be greatly missed. Please accept our most sincere condolences and sympathy. Paul and Jane Morris and family.

Dear Sandra and Family. My deepest sympathy on your loss. Thinking of you at this difficult time. Sincerely, RoseMary

A donation has been made to London Food Bank. Message from the donator: Dear Sandra and family Thinking of you. Jane and Rick Hundey

My deepest Condolences to Sandra, Ernest’s family and friends. ¡Adios mi buen amigo Ernie!

So sorry to hear of Ernests passing. I will always remember him as one of the "neighborhood dads" growing up on Concord. My most sincere condolences.

Sandra on behalf of Aunt Inez’s family we send our condolences love and prayers to you and family at this sad time. Always enjoyed seeing Ernest and we pray that his soul will find eternal rest until we meet again. May God give you peace and comfort in the days ahead.

Praying for the family during this difficult time. Growing up in Pope Street. your mum's house was the place to be. May his soul rest in peace and rise in Heaven.

Sandra and family, Kathy and I were saddened to hear about Ernest’s passing. Ernest was a mentor to me for most of my Veterinary career. We attended the same high school and the same University with me always 2 years behind Ernest. I have fond memories of arriving at the campus of the University of Guelph and within 24 hours meeting with Ernest and being shown around campus. We both returned to Guyana after graduating from OVC and again Ernest was there explaining the nuances of Veterinary Medicine in Guyana. Ernest will be missed . Our condolences to you and family. May he rest in peace.

Our deepest Condolences to Ernest’s family and friends. Ernest was a joyful soul, a ready smile and generous in spirit and his time. His Volkswagen was the transport for many trips to Toronto and in Guelph. Ernest was directly responsible for a personal life altering change. We shall surely miss him. May he Sleep in Eternal Peace.

The staff and faculty at the Animal Health Laboratory, University of Guelph would like to convey their sincere sympathies to the family of Dr. Ernest Sanford. He worked with many of us at the then Vet Lab Services - now Animal Health Lab and was treasured by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.

Our sincerest condolences to Ernies family. We were not only classmates for the six years through veterinary college but we also did our pathology graduate work together. Ernie had such a wonderful career and was recognized internationally especially with his interest in swine. He will be missed. Rest well my friend.

To Ernest‘s family, I offer my deepest condolences. I have nothing but fond memories of our days . I lived with Ernest and Ashton Hughes in 2nd year OAC. I learned so much about West Indian culture- it was wonderful! He had a superlative career . All the best from a OVC 71 colleague.

Ernie was a classmate for 6 years and was always well liked and respected. September 1965 to May 1971. 2 years at the Ontario Agricultural College and 4 years at the Vet College. Ernie was such a wonderful ambassador for our profession. God bless Ernie and his family.

We are so sorry to hear of Ernie's passing. We were classmates (OVC '71) and have fond memories of Ernie's humour and dedication. Later in his career he and Fred worked at Boehringer-Ingelheim together where Ernie was a very valued member. Our sincere condolences to Sandra and the rest of the family. Ernie was a gentle soul and we know he will be missed.

What a wonderful veterinarian and human being! I’ll miss those Long Island ice teas w him. All the best to the family, and many treasured memories!

Sandra, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Dr. Ernest Sanford, my former colleague and mentor. Ernest was a very special person to many of us who had the pleasure to work with him over the many years he was employed at Boehringer Ingelheim. His charming smile and easy going demeanour made everyone feel welcome in his presence. He certainly brightened up my days on the many occasions we were together. My favourite memories of Ernest will always be, when I said he is working to hard, his retort was consistently "Bill, this is not work!" Ernest will be greatly missed. Bill and Karen Maxwell

Ann and I are so saddened to hear the news about the passing of Ernest. I consider myself very fortunate to have known and worked with Ernest during his time at the lab and with BI. If I have been able to see a bit further it is because I had the fortune to stand upon the shoulders of giants. Ernest was most definitely one of those "giants". He will be missed. Sandra and family, please accept my sincere condolences and sympathy. George

Dear Sandra and family, So sorry to hear to hear of Ernie's passing. He was was a well respected colleague and friend, and always created a positive atmosphere when working with groups and individuals. He was a true leader in the Canadian veterinary community and will be sadly missed at home and abroad. We are thinking of you in this time of grief. John Harding, Saskatoon

My condolences to his family. I would echo many of the same thoughts as others -- a true gentleman, caring, knowledgeable, professional.... I'm going to miss that smile and laugh. RIP.

It is indeed with deep sadness that I learnt this evening of Ernest’s passing. Heartfelt condolences are therefore extended to Sandra, his children, and grandchildren. I suspect that he was one of the very first black ACVP board-certified veterinary pathologists in Ontario, and certainly the only one that I knew who originated from the Caribbean back in the 1980s. His publications in peer-reviewed journals, particularly on the infectious diseases of swine, were numerous! As a recently trained veterinary pathologist in Guyana in the mid 1980s, I was quite fortunate to have benefitted from his instruction, advice, inspiration and guidance. At the time he was instrumental in arranging a CIDA postdoc fellowship for me at the OMAF Huron Park and Guelph Laboratories. The rest is history. I will remain extremely grateful Ernest, and may you rest in eternal peace. 🙏🏽

My deepest condolences to Sandra and Family. A perfect Gentleman and dedicated Family Man and Scholar.

Summer 1972, I had just entered the field of Agriculture in Guyana and the honor of working with and being supervised by Ernest. He was a decent, caring and very knowledgeable professional. His love and knowledge of music and fashion was outstanding; indeed he was my mentor and largely influenced my career choice. Rest in peace, Ernest, you did your thing like only you could and would be remembered fondly for a long long time. My deepest condolences to the family. Dr Maurice Clarke.

Sincere condolences from Megan Gibbs and family.

To my loving brother Ernest, words cannot express how deeply sad and heartbroken I felt when I heard of your passing. May you rest in peace my brother and give mommy a heavenly kiss for me.

Uncle, You will be missed. Wished we had more time. My Condolences

Ernest Sanford was one of the most capable veterinarians I had the pleasure of knowing. He gave me the honour of working closely with him. An expert on diseases of swine who used that expertise to benefit the species and those with similar interests. His veterinary expertise was surpassed only by his qualities as a human being. An outstanding individual who will be greatly missed.

My deepest sympathies to all his family.

To Sandy, Sekou and all the other family members, please accept our deepest sympathy. As a young married student in Guelph,Ernie and Sandy were our mainstay and refuge many a weekend. Ernie and I shared a love of music which we listened to many a Saturday at Stone Road. Always a gentleman. Rest well my friend. May you be under God's love and continuing care.🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

My condolences Sandra, to you and your family, and my prayers for your comfort and peace as you celebrate Ernest's life, share fondest memories, and carry his legacy forward. May his soul rest in peace. Cousin Jennifer

Ernest, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for being such a wonderful and loving Grandad to Jaden and so kind and supportive of me. It had been too long since I last got in a visit with you and I'm so sad that I didnt have a chance to say goodbye and thank you for all you have done for us. We were very lucky to have you and we will miss you dearly. Rest peacefully.

Condolences from our family to yours. He leaves behind an amazing family to carry on his legacy.