James Sanford "Sandy" Latney

James Sanford "Sandy" Latney
Sunrise: April 14, 1947
Sunset: March 2, 2025
James Sanford "Sandy" Latney, 77 of Hartford, departed this life on Sunday, (March 2, 2025) at St. Francis Hospital with his family by his side. Sandy is the second of six children born to the late James Russell and Sarah Julia Sanford Latney. Sandy was born in Richmond, VA, and lived his whole life in Hartford, CT.
Sandy attended Hartford public schools graduating from Weaver High School in 1965. While at Weaver, Sandy was a "Weaver Beaver" playing Junior and Varsity basketball throughout high school. He attended Shaw University in Raliegh, NC where he earned an associate's degree. Returning to CT, Sandy began his professional career working for several years at Pratt & Whitney and for the City of Hartford Parks and Rec Department. Sandy worked for over 25 years for the State of CT-Juvenile Detention Division until his retirement in 2003. Sandy is also well known for his long stint as a Bartender at Piggy's Café in Hartford.
As many of you know, Sandy was a lover of Smooth Jazz and R&B music. Among his favorite artists are Phyllis Hyman, "Q"- Quincy Jones, Donny Hathaway, and Herbie Hancock. He would often sing along to music, but he was always off-key! Sandy was also an avid movie-goer which he frequently attended with his brother Alton.
Sandy prided himself on his sports skills. As an avid golfer, he enjoyed participating in local tournaments and loved golfing in Bermuda as his daughter watched him play. He was also a long-time member of a local 10 Pin Bowling League. The sports highlights for Sandy, however, were his love for the Philadelphia Eagles, UCONN football, and the UCONN Men's and Women's Basketball teams. As a season-ticket holder, he rarely missed a game.
Sandy is survived by a daughter, DaVita Cann (Anthony) of Hamilton, Bermuda, and two sons, Gerald Lewis Cooper (Jennifer) of Manhattan, NY, and Sterling Scanlon of Hartford; three grandchildren: Mila, Raya, and Hannah Cooper of NY; one brother, Alton T. (Irma) Latney of East Hartford; two sisters, Lynn M. (Theodore) Johnson of Bloomfield and Courtney R. Collins of Manchester. He also leaves six nephews: Devin Sanford (Devon), Andre T., Anthony Latney, William T. (BJ) West II, Ashon Austin, and Brandon Constance; six nieces: Lau`ren D. Latney, Sarita J. Collins, Chaniel L. Latney, Denisha Austin, Sharraine Vasquez, and Nikki Constance; twelve (12) great -nephews, six (6) great-nieces, five (5) great great-nephews, one (1) great great-niece and three (3) Goddaughters: Michelle Moore, Arianna, and Ava Acevedo. Sandy was loved and cherished by two devoted friends, Lawrence (Sonny) Bailey and Max Eady as well as a host of other beloved relatives, extended family, and friends.
Besides his parents, Sandy was predeceased by two sisters, Patricia E. and Edythe (Edie) S. Latney, and two nephews, Darrell F. Latney and Corrie Foster.
Family and friends will gather for a celebration at VFW - 41 Veterans Drive New Britain Connecticut on Thursday, March 13th At 1:30 pm.