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The
man being laid to rest this morn,
Was among the kindest ever born,
No childs tear nor mothers cry,
Was long for this world with Charles nearby.
Its
true his life was very blessed,
His work and family what he loved best, A quick little
joke or colorful story, Were what placed Charles in his
full glory.
He lived his life with compass true,
Undaunted by the troubles life oft blew, Faith, family and
friends was his creed, True to these words was Charles
indeed.
If there's one lesson to take from this man, Its to chose
your ground and make your stand, here's never shame in
protecting what's right, To follow this action would make
Charles delight,
So as we confront this most difficult day, Hold fast your
memories of him in any way, For as long as we hold these
memories dear, We'll have the comfort that Charles is
near.
By
Sean Sanders
  he
entire State of Maine expressed much sadness by the
unexpected passing of this man on May 11, 2000.
Millinocket lost one of its outstanding citizens and
public servants with his untimely passing.
Sanders was was an avid supporter
of the snowmobiling program as well as the Northern Timber
Cruisers Snowmobile Club while in his 20 year
tenure as a Millinocket Town Councilor and as a resident
of the community.
Mr. Sanders, or "Charlie" as everyone called
him, graduated from Lee Academy and went on to graduate
from Gorham State Teachers College in 1962. Charlie
finished his formal education with a masters degree in
educational administration from the University of
Connecticut and a masters in educational counseling from
the University of Maine in Orono. Charles' life was
dedicated to community service and helping others. His
diligence to this pursuit was exemplified by his
participation in the following organizations: Millinocket
Town Council, 20 years; Maine Teachers Association,
President in 1973; Maine Criminal Justice Academy Board of
Trustees; Joint Legislative Committee of Maine Principals
Association for 12 years, Maine Elementary Principals
Association,- federal relations committee for 12 years;
National Committee for the Accreditation of Teachers
Education - member; State Ethics Committee - member.
Charlie was also active as a lay reader at St. Andrews
Episcopal Church in Millinocket, where he practiced his
faith.
For the last 22 years Charlie was an elementary principal
in the Millinocket School System, where during his 37
years of service he also served as teacher and guidance
councilor. His relationship with the children was
described as that of a grandfather. As he walked through
his school with a smile on his face not far behind would
be the patter of little feet. One day after Sanders had
given a municipal official his first tour of the Granite
St. School of which he was principal, it was clear to this
person that he spearheaded the teaching of core values.
Room after room he took this person to, he asked the
children to name two special rules they were to follow in
life. And in unison, the students replied, " Work
hard and mind your manners". As this official
garnered from his visit of the school and Sanders, "
It was not only Charlie's code, but a life lesson. I will
always remember that day". Charles lifetime
commitment to his students has left an impact on all the
people and communities he has touched.
Charlie was a person who always made time for people when
they asked for his assistance. Charles will not only be
remembered for the individual he was, but also for the the
wisdom he added to Millinocket's town council. He weighed
all the information of town business as it was brought
before him with great consideration before making his
decisions. Everyone always waited for Charlie to reflect
his insight as he sat quietly and evaluated discussions on
important community topics. One
municipal official stated, " I admired his work on
the council for its quality, depth, and precision. He is
one of the finest examples of an elected official I have
had the good fortune to work with."
Town employees on remembering Sanders speak highly of him
noting that he was an advocate of the
workers that performed everyday tasks for municipal
operations. In their admiration of him they described how
he performed his duties as a councilman with the highest
level of fairness and professionalism. He
understood the values of respect, civility, hard work,
humor, loyalty, and dedication.
Charlie was a devoted father to his three sons. He
instilled upon them to "mind their manners and work
hard". Charles followed his
sons around the state during their high school days to
watch them play football for Stearns High School. It
was obvious that they followed their Dad's advice as all
three boys were stellar athletes for the team throughout
the years. Charlie and son
Stephen often enjoyed deer hunting trips during the fall
at a remote set of sporting camps. A new log camp built on
a Millinocket Lake island with his sons was enjoyed by
Jeannine and himself during the summer months. Sanders
also enjoyed boating and snowmobiling to this getaway
location.
His legacy will remain brightest in the hearts of the
loved ones he leaves behind: his wife Jeannine of
Millinocket, son Seth and fiancee Kristen of Williamsburg,
Virginia; son Sean and his wife Shannon of Pasadena,
California; son Steven of Yarmouth, Maine; brother-in-law
Barry and sister inlaw Sharon Webster of Winn, Maine;
niece Jeffri-Lynn and her husband Gerald Dyer of Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma; nephew Sam Webster of Raymond, Maine;
mother in law Eleanor Webster of Lincoln.
Charlie will be remembered for so many things, as he
affected the lives of a countless number of people. The
impact of this fallen champion has hit this community with
a cloud of sadness. As one prominent town official summed
the community's feelings about Charlie, " He will be
missed for all the good things he was and represented. I
am reminded of one of his favorite expressions that we
often joked applied to both of us. 'Never use a few words
when many will do!' Charlie, I do not have enough words
today to describe how much I admired you and how much I
will miss you. Farewell and God speed my friend."
Rest in peace Charles Sanders, your spirit lives on with
all us whose life you have touched.
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