Obituary of Carl L. Stanford

CARL L. STANFORD, 70, of Trenton, NJ died Saturday, January 14, 2012 at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton. He was born in Mims, FL. Carl graduated from Freehold High School, and then attended North Carolina A&T University (Greensboro, NC) on a full football scholarship. He graduated in 1964, with a degree in History. Through the 60s, he was very active in civil rights sit-ins and marched for racial equality. From college, he moved to the Bronx, NY, and worked for Leake & Watts Children's Home. Carl, also played professional football with the Detroit Lions and for a semi-professional team, the Jersey Jets, part of the New York Jets franchise. He worked at State Farm Insurance, as a senior claim adjuster for several years. Being that Carl's first love had always been cooking, it spearheaded his interest in moving into the restaurant industry. He worked for Zum Zum in the Pan Am Building in New York City. Zum Zum was part of Restaurant Associates. Carl owned a catering and event planning business (Family Caterers) and worked with different restaurant chains under the Restaurant Associates umbrella. He was with the Charlie Brown’s chain for the majority of time. For the past six years he was employed with Church Street Corporation in Keansburg, NJ. He enjoyed his job and the amazing colleagues; he spoke of all the time. Carl is predeceased by his parents, Pollard Stanford, Sr., Edwina Louise Powell-Stanford and his sister, Sandra J. Allen. He is survived by his wife, Mary Catherine "Kitty" Stanford, whom he was married to for 42 years; his two daughters, April Lynne and Angela Learleen Stanford; his siblings: Pollard Stanford, Jr., (NC), Lilly Foster (NC) and husband Gilbert Foster (predeceased), Lorenzo "Wrenzy" Stanford and wife, Tillie Stanford (SC), Vivian Lewis and Cliff Lewis (NJ), Brenda Stanford (FL) and an "extended" brother, Bob Edwards and wife, Lucy Edwards (NC). Nieces and nephews he adored: Regina Stanford (FL), Geoff "Doggy" Foster and wife, Tonya Foster (NC), Sheri Stanford (NJ), Jill "Jilly" Foster-Stephens and husband, James Stephens (NC), Adrienne Harris and husband, Timothy Harris (NJ). Three great nieces; Daphne Foster, Queen Lauren Burke, and Serene McBride, and three great nephews; Elijah Stephens, Jeremiah "J-Miah" Foster, Ethan Stephens; and an abundant amount of family and friends. The viewing will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Friday, January 20, 2012 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at the Bethel A.M.E. Church, 3 Waterworks Road, Freehold on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 9:30 am, followed by interment at Maplewood Cemetery, Freehold.