Melvin E. Sands

Melvin E. Sands, age 84, of Atkinson, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at Maplewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Amesbury, MA following a period of declining health, with his wife, Sally and his daughter, Diana by his side.

He was born on August 7, 1930 in Newark, NJ the son of the late, Emory W. and Virginia C. (Sarver) Sands. He was raised on a farm in Lynchburg, VA and graduated from Concord High School, Class of 1948. Following his graduation, Melvin enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country honorably from 1948 – 1952. Following his Navy discharge, He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, VA and graduated with a BSEE as an electronics major.

Melvin worked for the former Bell Labs and then AT&T as an electrical engineer, originally in NJ and retired in No. Andover, MA. He retired with 30 years of service.

He had a passion for riding motorcycles. He would ride his motorcycle to work every day, no matter what the weather was like outside. An avid photographer, he was the school photographer at VPI and he also enjoyed taking pictures for weddings. An avid outdoorsman, Melvin had a passion for sailing, fishing and in his later years, metal detecting. He loved the experience of attending at least a few Red Sox games every year. Melvin and Sally loved their pets and had four Westies and three cats over the years. Melvin especially enjoyed taking vacations with his family in Martha's Vineyard.

Melvin is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sally A. (Knudsen) Sands of Atkinson, NH, his daughter, Diana L. Sands of Keller, TX and his son, David M. Sands of Tustin, CA. Several nieces and nephews also survive him. He was predeceased by his brother, E. William Sands.

There are no calling hours and funeral services will be private.