Carl Sand,

The family of Carl Sand would like to share with you news of his passing on the morning of December 26, 2009. He died following a long illness at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady.

In life, Carl was an avid politician, hiker, reader, and lover of music. His early career as a high school social studies teacher spanned 15 years and two school districts; Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake and Cobleskill Central. He left teaching to pursue a career in Real Estate in 1978, serving as broker agent to hundreds of families through Century 21 and later Realty USA. He returned to teaching briefly as an adjunct professor at SUNY Cobleskill in 1992-1993. Those that know Carl, know that public service was a passion for him. He held a variety of positions at the town and county levels and served as Schoharie County Democratic Committeeman for Cobleskill for over 30 years, and the Democratic State Committeeman for Schoharie County starting in 1998.

Carl has been a proud member of Rotary international since 1997 and served as President in '04-'05. He served on the Board of Trustees at Cobleskill United Methodist Church. It would be his wishes that in lieu of flowers, if you are so inclined, make a pledge in his memory to the Cobleskill United Methodist Church (107 Chapel Street, Cobleskill, NY 12043) or to the Cobleskill Creek Trail project via Schoharie County Trail Association (PO Box 851, Cobleskill, NY 12043) .

Other causes that Carl was involved with during his 38 years as a resident of Cobleskill are the Cobleskill Volunteer Fire Department, the Chaplaincy of Schoharie County Community Hospital, the Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Schoharie County Arts Council, Bluebird Society, Chamber of Commerce, Historical Society, and youth soccer and baseball leagues.

Carl was first and foremost a devoted family man. Carl was born in Albany on October 18, 1943, and went to Guilderland High School, where he met and courted Janet King Sand, his wife of 44 years. He is mourned by his three children and their spouses; Joel and Donna Sand of Northampton, New Jersey, Kate and Brian Elder of Cobleskill, and Mark and Sarah Barnes Sand of Beijing, China. Carl is also much missed by his three siblings and their families; Lisa and Larry Pierce of Schoharie, Peter and Karen Sand of Saratoga, and Susan and Daniel Weinberg of Guilderland. Carl was "Opa" to 9 grandchildren; Dominic, Arianna, Carson, Cameron, Joel Jr., Nicholas, Christopher, Luther, and Paxton.

Viewing hours will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 4-7 p.m. at Cobleskill United Methodist Church, Chapel Street, Cobleskill.. A funeral service will be held the following day, Thursday, December 31, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Pam Mikel Hayes officiating. Burial will be private at Cobleskill Rural Cemetery.