Lester S. Sandifur

Lester S. (Lucky) Sandifur, age 85, accepted the Lord❜s offer to join him while at the Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic, on Sunday, January 6, 2019. You were coming home but you left us too fast and we understand.

Friends and family may call from 1:00 - 3:00 pm on Friday, January 11, 2019 at the Covert Funeral Home at 7199 S. Main Street, Ovid, NY, with services immediately following. Interment will then be held at Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Alzheimer❜s Association; or the Hospice of Ontario & Yates County at 756 Pre-Emption Road, Geneva, 14456.

Lucky was born in Philadelphia, PA on July 23, 1933 the son of Genevieve and Fredrick Sandifur. In 1951 Lucky enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was assigned to Headquarters Squadron Section, 3650th Medical Group at the Sampson Air Force Base as a Medic for four years. Upon discharge Lucky became an active member of the Sampson Air Force Veterans Association, Inc. serving as Trustee on the Board for four years and was a member of the T-33 crew, devoting his time to the restoration of the T-33 that is now displayed at the Museum at the Sampson State Park. Lucky was also a member of the American Legion Post in Ovid.

In his spare time, during his service at the Air Force Base, Lucky enjoyed playing roller hockey at the roller skating Drill Hall at Sampson and worked as a ‶skating rink guard″ on the weekends. It was at this skating rink that he met the love of his life where they waltzed their way through 62 years of marriage.

Lucky started his working career as a Barber at Willard Psychiatric Center, retiring after 35 years. After retiring he worked temporarily at Hosmer❜s Winery trimming grapevines, and then accepted full time employment in the Maintenance Department at Sampson State Park mowing lawns. Lucky was a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. As a family man Lucky was happy to foster Fresh-air children from New York City during the summer months for several years and, being from a large city himself, this brought him great enjoyment. Lucky spent many hours with sons building a Soap Box Derby Car to compete in races in Ithaca and in State Derby finals in Ohio, was a Hockey Coach with the Geneva General Hockey Team in Geneva for more than 12 years, and as a ‶jack of all trades″ built a home from a Bungalow into a beautiful ranch home with a two-car garage he built with concrete blocks from one of the Sampson Air Force Base drill halls after the Air Force closed, as well as completing most ‶to-do-lists″. Lucky was mechanically inclined and had a love of refurbishing old model cars. He enjoyed snowmobiling, roller & ice skating, dancing, bowling, golfing, hunting and fishing, creating a Christmas light display known throughout the area, and was always available to help those in need.

Lucky is survived by his wife Thelma ‶Terri″ Carlson Sandifur, three sons, Dennis (Karen) Sandifur, Dryden; Chet (Susan) Sandifur, Ovid and Sean (Christa DeNunzio) Sandifur, Elmira; Sister, Yvonne (Norman) Springer, NJ, Sister-in-laws, Shirley Morey, NC and Jan Close, Geneva; Brother-in-laws, Donald (Elaine) Snow, Newark and Bruce ‶Bud″ Close, NC; fourteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, his dedicated friend, Heidi who never left his side, Snuggles and Tigger who were left with our family and gave him so much entertainment and comfort. Lucky was predeceased by his mother, Genevieve Sandifur Ulmer, stepfather John Ulmer, sister-in-laws, Beverly, Aneta, June, Sally and Anna.

Knowing that God has accepted our loved one into His Kingdom of Love and Peace where he will be reunited with all our fallen families, friends and furry friends will help those he left behind to accept his loss. God Bless you Lucky in your new journey full of good health, peace and love. You will remain in our hearts forever and ever!