Alvas Sr. Obituary (1909 - 2006)

AUGUSTA - Alvas F. Rand Sr., 96, of Augusta passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2006, at the Augusta Rehabilitation Center. He was born in Augusta, Oct. 22, 1909, the son of Albra and Cora (Bailey) Rand. He was educated in the schools of Augusta and went on to study at the Sherwood School of Music in Chicago. While at Cony High School, he was an outstanding athlete, elected as captain of the football, hockey and baseball teams, including the undefeated 1927 football team. Beyond his athletic abilities, Alvas was also an accomplished pianist. He was a longtime student of Cara Mae Bradford, played in several local dance bands during the Depression years, taught piano for 15 years and served as the organist at the Universalist Church in Augusta and the Old South Congregational Church in Hallowell. Following his employment as a ship-fitter building Liberty Ships at the South Portland shipyard during World War II, Alvas successfully operated several service stations in Augusta and Hallowell from 1946 to 1966. He retired in 1979 from the Augusta Public Works Department as assistant to the director. Alvas was a devoted father and husband. Throughout his life he enjoyed golf, classical music and read widely in history and current events. He had an unswerving faith and was a student of the Bible. He loved recounting the growth and history of Augusta and had a marvelous recall of events and people over the last 90 years. He would love describing Augusta before the days of the telephone and city-wide electricity and spoke frequently of several Civil War veterans he met as a child. He remained curious and interested in present day developments and despite the massive changes he had witnessed in his life remained a positive, un-jaded, engaged and optimistic person. He was loved by those who knew him and made a significant difference in the lives of many. Alvas was predeceased by his wife, Carolyn (MacLeod) Rand in April, 2006; his son, Alvas F. Rand Jr.; sisters, Beatrice Allard, Nora Martin, and Reba Rand; and a brother Vernard Rand. He is survived by three sons, Richard G. Rand, and his wife, Patricia, of Augusta, David M. Rand and his wife, Julie, of Jefferson and Thomas M. Rand of Falmouth; daughter-in-law, Patricia Bowker Rand, of Portland; 13 grandchildren, Robert Rand, Alvas Rand III, Cynthia Kluner, Martha Crockett, Katherine Airey, Stephen Rand, James Rand, Peter Rand, Pamela Dawson, Kathleen McCatherin, Susan Pullen, Andrew Rand and Bailey Rand; and many great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. There will be a family grave site committal ceremony for Alvas and his wife, Carolyn, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to the Green Street Methodist Church in Augusta. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 1 Church St., Augusta.