Sands known for commitment
By Doug Graham (Clipping from The Kingston Whig Standard April 4, 1998)

Barry Sands, A Gifted Athlete and a father who supported his family's athletic prowess, died yesterday of a heart attack. He was 47.

Well known in hockey circles for both his coaching ability and his three sons who all excelled in the game, Sands is survived by his wife Patti and children Jill, Jason, Jeff and Josh.

Sands worked for years in Loughborough township as roads superintendent .He recently took a position in the City's public works department.

"I know him as a great person for helping kids, not only his own family but many others" said Roy Reid. "He was a very committed and dedicated hockey parent. He always had time to talk to you at the rink, "Reid said. Sands' sons are all playing junior hockey. The oldest, Jason, played for the Kingston Frontenacs and this season with the Sudbury Wolves. Jeff, a defenceman like his father, played for the Kingston Voyageurs. Josh played the season in Gananoque for the Junior Islanders. Daughter Jill is a former provincial level figure skater who is now living in Australia.

The Sands live in Battersea and the family operates a fish farm in the summer. In the winter, the pond becomes a magnet for hockey activities.

"People out there in various circles of hockey are very familiar with the Sands hockey pond" Reid said "I remember a few years back, two house league teams were over from England. Barry had them out to the pond for the day. Served hot dogs and some of the Frontenacs dropped over and made it a very special time.

Reid said it was hard to go into a hockey rink in eastern Ontario and not have someone recognize the hockey name of Sands. "No matter what rink you go in, people know about the sands" Reid said. "This is a very sad thing. Another good person is lost in life"

With all his sons playing minor hockey, Sands turned to coaching. Over the years he has coached the Greater Kingston midgets, bantams and peewees. "He could get 200 per cent out of people. They just wanted to play for him.” Said longtime friend Gerry Judge.

HOCKEY AND FASTBALL

Sands played both hockey and fastball successfully. he was on the Junior Frontenacs for the 1969-70 season when the team won the Eastern Ontario Junior B championship. Sands played defense. "Barry was small for a defenceman but he made up for that with his determination" said friend Ron brown who also played fastball with Sands as a team member for over 12 years.

Sands played on three championship teams in the old Circle Fastball League. "He was a shortstop and a heck of a ball player. He was a fierce competitor" Brown said.