Obituary of Sanford A. Gradinger
Born August 5, 1936, in Rochester to Fannie (Friedman) and Benjamin Gradinger. He died July 14, 2017 of pancreatic cancer. A Brighton High School graduate, where he excelled in baseball, basketball, and soccer, Sandy graduated from Syracuse University. A Chartered Life Underwriter, he founded Gradinger and Associates, a life insurance agency which grew into Centra Financial Group, a full financial services organization. He was a civil rights activist, a leading advocate for Soviet Refuseniks, a staunch Democrat, and a strong supporter of the Jewish community and Temple B'rith Kodesh. His mission was to promote peace and tolerance and to give space and support to the 'underdog' to help them find their way. An honorable and fair man, he strove to make the world a better place and positively impacted many individuals, families, and both communities in which he lived. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie; children Drew (Sara Newmark), Laurel (Christopher Sloan), and Jared (Gordon Spragg); seven grandchildren; sister Arleen Priest (Aaron); nephews and cousins.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, July 17, 2017 at 1 PM in the Sanctuary of Temple B'rith Kodesh (2131 Elmwood Ave.). Interment, Mt. Hope Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at 125 Trevor Court Rd. on Monday from 6-8 PM & Tuesday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Gradinger Family Fund at Rochester Community Foundation or to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in Birmingham, Alabama. To leave a message of condolence, please visit:
