Robert M. Sans

BALDWINVILLE – Robert M. Sans, 67, of 731 Baldwinville Road, died peacefully Wednesday afternoon, December 3rd at UMASS Medical Center, University Campus, Worcester with his family at his side.

He was born in Gardner on June 5, 1947, son of Joseph and Helen (Courtney) Sans and had lived in Baldwinville for many years.  Bob grew up in Gardner and graduated from Gardner High School in 1965 and Mount Wachusett Community College in 1967.  He later graduated from Fitchburg State College in 1973.

Bob was a kindergarten teacher at Baldwinville Elementary School for 30 years and then taught 5th grade at Narragansett Middle School for 8 years until his retirement.  Active in both military organizations and town affairs, Bob was a member and past commander of Ovila Case #905 VFW in Gardner and was a member of Roger Warfield Post American Legion in Baldwinville.  Bob was a 30 year member of Templeton Fire Department and was an emergency medical technician for 35 years and past director of Templeton Rescue Squad.  He was a CPR instructor and first aid instructor and had been a director of Emergency Management for the Town of Templeton for 20 years.  For nine years, Bob had served as a cemetery commissioner and he was a constable for the town for many years.  In earlier years, Bob was active with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.  A member of Otter River Sportsmans Club for many years, Bob was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Church and a former CCD instructor.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing, his trucks and dogs and was known as a good cook.

During the Vietnam War, Bob proudly served in the United States Army First Air Cavalry.  He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Army Commendation Medal.  In recent years, Bob would often volunteer with the honor guard of Ovila Case #905 VFW.

He leaves his high school sweetheart and wife of 45 years, Donna L. (Brown) Sans; four children, Cynthia L. Sans of Baldwinville, Courtney Sans and her husband Patrick of Baldwinville, Michael Sans and his wife Lauren of Carmel, NY and Joseph Sans and his wife Alissa of Cortlandt Manor, NY; one granddaughter Brooke Sans; a close cousin Patricia Scerra Cavalier, a brother-in-law Clayton “Skip” Brown of Baldwinville as well as nephews and nieces.  Bob was also fond of his dog Leila and cat Gary Owen.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, December 8th at 10 A.M. in St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1 Forest Street, Baldwinville.  Burial, with military honors, will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery.

Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon are Sunday, December 7th from 3 to 6 P.M.

Memorial donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or to Mount Wachusett Community College Scholarship Fund, 444 Graeen Street, Gardner, MA 01440 in memory of Carrie Progen.

www.stone-ladeau.com

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