Sanford P. Kay

PITTSFIELD -- Sanford P. “Sank” Kay, 79, of Churchill Crest, died Tuesday morning in Berkshire Medical Center’s skilled nursing unit. He and his family owned several clothing stores in Pittsfield, including the former Textile Store, later known as Kay’s Women’s Clothing.

Born in Pittsfield on June 10, 1923, son of David and Ida Weller Kay, he graduated in 1941 from Pittsfield High School and attended the University of Michigan for 1 1/2 years and the American University in Biarritz, France.

An Army Air Forces veteran of World War II, he served as a private first class with the 8th Air Force Service Command from 1943 until 1946.

Mr. Kay was employed as an executive in his family’s retail clothing business until the North Street store closed in 1976 after 54 years of operation. He and his wife, the former Benjamina Shulman, then opened the former K’s Coats, which they operated until his retirement in 1988.

He was a former member of Knesset Israel Synagogue and served several years on the city’s Mobile Home Park Rent Control Board the Berkshire Hills Country Club’s board of directors.

His wife, whom he married June 11, 1950, in New York City, died Oct. 31, 1997.

He leaves a son, Andrew Kay of Las Vegas, and a daughter, Susan Kay of Nashville, Tenn.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- Sanford P. “Sank” Kay, 79, died April 8, 2003. Graveside services will be held Thursday at 1 at Wellwood Cemetery in Pinelawn, Long Island, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, donations in his memory may be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires or to the Friends of Renal Dialysis through DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME, 40 Maplewood Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201.