Lawrence S. Sands, retired Chief of the Medford Fire Department, passed away peacefully at the Newton Wellesley Hospital in the company of his loving family. He was 85. Born and raised in Medford, he was the son of the late John A. and Eva D. (Brosseau) Sands. After graduating from high school, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served during the end of the Korean War into the early stages of the Vietnam era. Upon his honorable discharge, Larry returned to Medford and settled down to raise his family with his beloved wife Janet. Larry was appointed to the Medford Fire Department in 1965. He worked hard and rose through the ranks, and was appointed Chief of the Department in 1984. During his tenure, he kept the department up to date with many of the innovations and advancing technologies in fire service. He initiated a regular cycle of updating and replacing fire apparatus, and embarked upon a process of renovation and new construction of fire stations. Larry and Janet were longtime active parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi Parish. He also enjoyed travelling and vacationing with his family, especially his grandchildren. He filled his retirement years with many hobbies. He gave tours with Boston by Foot of historic sites in the city. He prepared a special tour of the vicinity of the Great Boston Fire. He was also a founder of The Embers, a club for retired fire chiefs in metro Boston, which met frequently to share wisdom, experience and offer mentoring for new fire chiefs. Larry will be remembered for being a good and thoughtful man and will be missed by those who knew him.
The beloved husband of the late Janet E. (Conroy) Sands, Larry is the devoted father of Stephen Sands and his wife Dorothy of Medford, Mary G. Diantgikis and her husband James of Peabody, John Sands and his wife Evelina of Melrose, Julie Russo of S. Hamilton, and Kevin Sands and his wife Lisa of N. Reading. He was a loving grandfather of Alexandra, Olivia, Danielle, Emily, Caleb, and Isabella. He was the brother of Teri Eaton, the late Richard Sands, and is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to visit at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St. Medford on Thursday, 4 – 8 PM, and again on Friday morning September 3rd at 10:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 441 Fellsway West, Medford at 11:30 AM. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent in Larry's name to a charity of One's choice.