Obituary of Sanford Huston

Sanford William Huston died June 8, 2013, in Sarasota, Florida. He was born in Troy, New York, July 26, 1921 the oldest son of Rae and Max Uzewitz. Sanford attended Troy Schools and was enrolled at Siena College in Loudonville until entering the US Army in March, 1943. Sanford was honorably discharged from the Headquarters Company 48th Armored Infantry Battalion in March, 1945, having participated in D-Day and the liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camps in Germany. On a weekend furlough from training at Fort Dix, Sanford married the former Judith Honigsbaum on June 6, 1943, the two having met at Troy High School their freshman year. They were married 67 years before Judith's death in 2011. Sanford and his father-in-law Isaac Honigsbaum, the founder of Denby's department store in Troy, grew that retail business through several decades. By 1976 there were 9 Denby's stores in the Capital region, including the Troy store, then at the Uncle Sam Mall. The chain was sold to the Outlet Company in 1977. During that time, in addition to his duties overseeing Merchandising and the managing of Denby's, Sanford served at various times as President of the Troy Chamber of Commerce, was on the Boards of Directors of the Marine Midland Bank and St. Mary's Hospital in Troy, and was instrumental in raising the funds for the Troy Jewish Community Center which is currently the YMCA building in Sycaway in Troy. Since retirement from business, Sanford lived in both Florida and the Capital district area. He was a generous man both in spirit and in deed, teaching his family and others about quiet philanthropy. Sanford was predeceased by his wife Judith, his son, Bruce, and his brother Harvey. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Sheri and Gerry Lublin, by 2 grandaughters, Nancy Lublin and her husband Jason Diaz, Abby Lublin and her husband Tolu Fashoro, two great-grandchildren, Sydney and Houston Diaz, a sister, Sally (Uzewitz) Friedland, and a sister-in-law, Carol (Price) Husten, along with several nieces and nephews. A private family burial was held on June 17, 2013 at the Beth El Cemetery in Troy, New York. Donations in Sanford's name may be made to the Rabbi's discretionary fund at Congregation Beth Emeth, 100 Academy Road, Albany, NY, 12208 - 3199 or to the Temple Beth El Cemetery Fund, 411 Hoosick St., Troy, N.Y., 12180.