BERTON EUGENE SANDS

WOODLAND – Berton Eugene Sands, 66, beloved husband, father, son and brother, passed away peacefully Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, after a long illness, with his family by his side at a Bangor hospital. He was the heart and soul of his family, and will be missed more than words can express. Bert was always up for an adventure, whether it was snowmobiling, camping, traveling, family picnics, pool parties or eating. Whatever he did, fun was the key ingredient. Bert attended Washburn schools and graduated from Washburn High School in 1961, where he was senior class president. He was very active in Future Farmers of America, serving as club and state president. He also traveled to the National Future Farmers of America Convention in Kansas City, Mo., and received numerous welding awards. Bert graduated from the University of Maine, Orono, with a degree in agriculture. He worked several years at Maine Packers as a potato broker and then opened his own brokerage firm, Sands Potato Co., Caribou, in 1978. Through the years in the potato business, Bert gained many close friends: the truck brokers, other potato brokers, farmers and all the truck drivers, especially the “D & W boys” from Parsons, W.Va. Many days Bert would be seen in the office with a phone in each ear, probably trying to “sneak around The Branding Law,” which he loved doing, and was pretty successful at it! Bert is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 42 years, Sue Thompson Sands, who never left his side through the past month, while he was in Bangor; and his only child, Holly Jo Rhinebolt. Bert adored his daughter and loved their father-daughter times together. Bert’s son-in-law, David J. Rhinebolt, was the son Bert never had. Dave was one of the few people that could make him laugh when he wasn’t feeling well. He always called him “the big guy.” Also surviving are Bert’s parents, Herbert and Ruby Sands, of Caribou; brother, Bill Sands and wife, Sherry, and Duane Sands and wife, Cecile, also of Caribou; brothers-in-law, Jim Humphrey and Bob Thompson and wife, Gwen, all of Washburn; sisters-in-law, Lois Thompson Gordon and her husband, Ken, of Little Madawaska Lake and Fern Sands of Washburn. Bert also leaves behind several special nieces and nephews, who all have fond memories of times spent with him, Lynn Currier and friend, Dave, of Brunswick, Mike and Kathy Thompson of Washburn, Matt and Denise Thompson of Westminster, Mass., Joey Thompson of Springfield, Mass., Alan “Butch” and Sharon Thompson of Crouseville, Randy and Heidi Thompson of Washburn, Bindy Johnston of Orleans, Mass., Sharon and Mark Niquette of Eastham, Mass., Shelby Merriman of Caribou, Jim and Cindy Humphrey of Presque Isle, Mike and Robin Sands, Lori Beaulieu, all of Gorham, Bob and Lori Sands of Hampden, Vicki and Steve Zeiger of Mentor, Ohio, Shari and Tod Edgecomb of Scarborough. Also leaving behind several great-nieces and great-nephews, who all loved him dearly and got excited when Uncle Bert was on the way. Bert loved dogs, especially his beautiful collies through the years, with Casey being the latest addition, and his granddog, Gauge. He loved his “girls” and couldn’t wait for the next day of doggy daycare. Bert would always carry milk bones in his truck, have frosty paws in the freezer and deli meat in the fridge for them or any dog he came across. Friends may call 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, from the chapel of Mockler Funeral Home with the Rev. Dorothy Matson officiating. Interment will be at Woodland Cemetery. Friends who wish to contribute in Bert’s memory may do so through the Palliative Care Program at Eastern Maine Medical Center, 489 State St., P.O. Box 404, Bangor, ME 04402-0404. Envelopes are also available through the funeral home. This organization was with Bert and his family each and every day with unconditional love and support. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.