BREWER – Wilbur T. Rand, 92, beloved husband of the late Julia E. (Sleeper) Rand, died May 21, 2010, after a short illness. It was with poignancy that he died the same day that his family was burying his loving wife of 64 years. He was born April 21, 1918, in Eddington, the son of Percy and Phoebe (Price) Rand. Wilbur graduated from Brewer High School in 1936. As a young man of 24, he left to serve his country along with his two brothers, George and Parker; and sister, Flora, and served for the duration of World War II. Wilbur served for 3 1/2 years in Europe and North Africa and was awarded a Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He returned from the war and married Julia, April 26, 1946. After raising seven children and retiring from the Bangor Daily News, where he worked for 38 years, Wilbur and his wife, Julia, enjoyed many wonderful years traveling to either Florida or Boulder, Nev., for the winter. There wasn’t much Wilbur enjoyed more than basking in the warm sun. Wilbur was an example to his family of the old-fashioned virtues that we all admire of integrity, honesty, decency and hard work. His family will miss him greatly. Wilbur is survived by three sons and their wives, Gordon Rand and Ruth Ann of Arizona, Steve Rand and Christine of Illinois and Brian Rand and Mary of Falmouth; two daughters and their husbands, Kathleen and Michael McDonagh of Idaho and Carol and Lenny Peters of Bangor; two daughters-in-law, Jean Rich of Harpswell and Sue Rand of Washington; 17 grandchildren, Vicki, David, Brenda, Colleen, Donovan, Jason, Scott, MacKenzie, Kristina, Kate, Luke, Nathan, Athena, Daniel, Benjamin, Jonathan and Miki; nine great-grandchildren; many wonderful nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Julia; his son, Wilbur T. Rand Jr.; his daughter, Sandra Adams; his brothers and sisters. Friends may call 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at Brookings-Smith, Clark-Piper Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, May 28, at First Congregational Church, Brewer, with the Rev. Grace Bartlett, pastor, officiating. Interment will be afterward at Woodlawn Cemetery, Brewer. If you would like to remember Wilbur in a special way, gifts in his memory may be sent to First Congregational Church, 35 Church St., Brewer, ME 04412. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
WILBUR T. RAND
