Caroline and Sandy Paton at their home in Sharon, Connecticut

Folk Legacy co-founder Sandy Paton passed away on Sunday July 26 around 6:30pm. He had been hospitilized the last few days after becoming extremely fatigued. Sandy had been in poor health in recent years, suffering from emphysema which required that he was constantly connected to oxygen. About a month ago, Sandy & Caroline’s grandson died tragically – drowning in a
river in Connecticut. Friends have said that Sandy took the loss extremely hard.

I think those of us who have the privalage to host folk music radio programs owe an incredible debt to Sandy. His contribution to the folk revival deserves more attention. He was one of my heros. When I first began broadcasting in 1980, Folk Legacy was one of the first record labels that
recognized our station and my program. Over the years, each CD from Folk Legacy was received like a precious gift, and you could feel the love and pride that Sandy and Caroline took in their work. I wrote a short bio of Sandy on this website two years ago in honor of his birthday – if you would like to find out more about Sandy, please click here

A memorial is being planned, and I will share the details when they become available. I will be paying tribute to Sandy on Traditions this Sunday August 2nd. Folk Legacy, a company that Sandy and Caroline co-created in 1961 with the late Lee Haggerty, is expected to continue through the work of Sandy & Carolines children and friends.

Sandy Paton was a folk music icon, and one of the nicest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. My condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.

Ron Olesko

UPDATE – A number of folks have been posting their thoughts and memories of Sandy on the previously posted “birthday” article. Please click here if you would like to add your thoughts about this amazing man.