THE loss of a popular Abersoch windsurfer has left a “massive void in the water sport community that can never be filled”.
Dr John Sanford, who worked at hospitals in Saudi Arabia as well as in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, before retiring to the Llyn Peninsula, passed away at his home over the weekend.
Friends in the Abersoch area have paid tribute to the popular windsurfer, known locally as ‘Dr John’.
His close friend, former professional windsurfer Farrel O’Shea, described Dr Sanford as “a very thoughtful man” and said he would be greatly missed.
He said: “I met Dr Sanford in the mid-’80s, we use to go speed sailing together and he became part of our small tight group of windsurfers here.
“Windsurfing was a huge passion of his and now the water sport community has a massive void in it which can never be filled.
“He was a very, very thoughtful person; he always had a lot of time for people and was very approachable.
“Even though windsurfing was his main passion he was also very artistic and was into art and pottery.
“He absolutely loved the Abersoch area and loved the community here, he was very well known and he will be sorely missed.”
Dr Sandford leaves two grown-up children.
See the full story in this week’s Arfon/Dwyfor edition of the Cambrian News