Texte intégral
Sands: Mark Douglas April 28, 1921 - April 10, 2004 Mark passed away peacefully on April 10, 2004 with his family by his side. He was born on April 28, 1921 in Rosedale, AB where he resided for 81 years and then moved to the Drumheller Continuing Care Centre. Mark led a full and active life. He grew up on the family homestead where he and his wife Willia, farmed and raised their family until 1988 and then moved to Rosedale. At a very young age he enjoyed going with his Dad to sell milk and eggs to the coalminers of Rosedale and Star mine. School was not Marks' ambition. He graduated from grade eight and then worked on the farm. It wasn t long before he started what would turn out to be his life's true ambition owning a truck and hauling rock of some form. His first business was delivering coal to the farmers in the surrounding area and later along with his partners, he successfully owned and operated three businesses: Subway Coal, Fish Lake Sand and Gravel, and M&D Sands Trucking. He was well known and respected in the business community for his honesty and integrity. Mark loved the Drumheller Valley. He supported and promoted it any way he could. In later years he became quite the tour guide providing visitors with knowledge of the coalmines and the valley in general. He has received numerous letters of appreciation from people all over the world thanking him for his hospitality. Mark s family was always his top priority and they could count on him whenever they needed him. He was kind to all animals, but the family dog and cats were treated the same as any family member. Throughout his years, Mark loved to travel with his family; Alaska was one of his favorite spots. Mark supported his son Dale s hockey career and he loved to share his fond memories of the championship they won. In later years he enjoyed watching his grandsons play or quite often would stop at the arena just to watch a game. Although Mark always enjoyed a good visit with his friends and family he was the happiest on a rubber tire loader moving shale, dirt or snow. Mark will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his son Dale (Suzanne) Sands of Rosedale, his daughter Sandra (Mark) Nicklom of Drumheller; his grandchildren Brenda (Kevin) Kerik of Red Deer, Brent (Lisa) Sands of Drumheller, Randy (Laura) Nicklom of Calgary, Kacey and Tyler Nicklom of Drumheller; great-grandchildren Tamara and Jeff Kerik of Red Deer and Ciena and Danica Sands of Drumheller. Mark will also be sadly missed by his sister Bessie Brown of Drumheller; nephews Carson (Susan) Brown of Rosedale and Al (Marianne) and Ben Jamieson of St. Alberta, and nieces Pat (Frank) and Sharon (Dave). Mark was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Willia Sands, his daughter-in-law Lorenza Sands and his parents Ezra and Euda Sands. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Mark Sands can be made to the D.A.H.F. Continuing Care Centre, 351 - 9 St. N.W. Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y1, or that of the donor's choice would be appreciated. Courtney-Winter s Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. A memorial service to celebrate Mark s life will be held on Friday, April 16, 2004 at 2 p.m. at the Rosedale Community Hall.