Clarence Robert "Buzz" Hartford
September 22, 1936 – January 7, 2026

CAPE ELIZABETH – Clarence "Buzz" Hartford, 89, of Cape Elizabeth, Maine died January 7th, 2026 at The
Landing in Cape Elizabeth with his wife Sandra and daughter Patti by his side.

Buzz was born on September 22, 1936, at Westbrook Hospital in Westbrook, Maine to Clarence
Frederick and Josephine Irene (Stewart) Hartford. He was raised in Falmouth, Cumberland and
Scarborough, Maine and graduated from Scarborough High School in 1954. He attended Portland
University for two years. Buzz joined the Navy reserves in 1953 and served 11 months of active duty in
1961-1962.

Buzz married Sandra (Stanford) Hartford on July 11, 1959. They had two daughters, Patti in 1960 and
Jean in 1962. After finishing his active-duty assignment, with support from his father-in-law's
construction company, Buzz built the house where he and Sandra raised their daughters on the
Spurwink River in Scarborough. In 2000 Buzz and Sandra moved to Cumberland and thoroughly enjoyed
their neighbors and community there.

Buzz worked at the Bancroft Martin Steel Mill in the 1950's. After serving in the Navy, he began working
for Prudential selling insurance. In 1968 Buzz began working for UPS and retired from the company in
1998. After his retirement, Buzz and Sandra travelled to North Carolina for four months each year to be
near Jean and her family. During the summers, Buzz enjoyed working for many years at Beach Ridge
Speedway as their bookkeeper and admissions tickets sales manager.

Over the years, Buzz and Sandra attended the First Congregational Church in Scarborough, the Cape
Elizabeth United Methodist Church, where he enjoyed singing in the choir, and the First United
Methodist Church in Graham, NC.

Buzz enjoyed volunteering with the Bruce Roberts Fund in the 1980's and the Friendship House in the
1990's. Buzz and Sandra volunteered together in the office of Curamericas in Raleigh, NC (now Impact
Global Health Alliance) for many years during their yearly visits to North Carolina. By far, one of the best
experiences of Buzz's life was volunteering for over 20 years at Camp Mechuwana in Winthrop, Maine.
He especially loved the years he was a counselor at the summer camp and the relationships he
developed with the children, teens, other volunteers, and Mechuwana staff.

Buzz and Sandra moved to The Landing in Cape Elizabeth in 2023. They were extremely well cared for by
The Landing Staff and their dedicated commitment to his care allowed him to remain at The Landing
until he passed away. Buzz also received care from daily caregivers from Right at Home and their
support also allowed him to be with Sandra at The Landing until he died.

Buzz was predeceased by his parents, his sister Marthann Hartford, his brother Stewart Hartford and
half-brothers Blaine Hartford and Josh Hartford.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Hartford, his daughter Patti Gordan, her husband Rick, their son Alex
Gordan, their son Colin Gordan, his wife Courtney and their daughters Audrey and Claire, and his
daughter Jean Hartford-Todd and her children Jonas Todd and Emily Todd. Buzz is also survived by many
caring in-laws and nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church, 280 Ocean House Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 (https://ceumc.org/) with a reception to follow at the church.  After the reception, those who are able are invited to proceed to the Black Point Cemetery, Scarborough for the burial.  The cemetery is located at the intersection of Black Point Road and Clay Pits Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Buzz's memory may be made to Camp Mechuwana for their scholarship
fund via PayPal at https://www.mechuwana.org/donate or, to donate by check, please make your check
payable to Mechuwana and mail to Mechuwana, PO Box 277, Winthrop ME 04364.