This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
It is with sadness that the family of William Alexander Sandham (Bill) announce his peaceful passing September 28, 2024.
Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 72 years, Lois (Butcher) Sandham and his children including Robert, James, Shelley, Cindy (Dennis), Brenda, Donna (Gary).
Cherished grandfather to Krista, Lisa, Melissa, Janelle, Amy, Karen, Stacy, Shawn, Katie, Alex, and Sarah. Proud great grandfather to Kianna, Logan, Ethan, Ella, Laina, Sophie, Lynlee, Charlie, Hudson, Olivia, Auston, Bodi, Lucas, Octavia, Alex, Jamie, Elsie, Ben, Maya, Cole, Marco.
Bill was born in Tillsonburg, Ontario, January 18, 1932 to Verna (2002) and James S. Sandham (1981) and brother to Donald (1950) and Lloyd (2018).
Bill was the proud owner of Sandham Air Service, Hwy #28, and it was well known as the only business of this type in Eastern Ontario, for his aerial crop dusting (1956 – 1997) and governmental contracts in Northern Ontario. He worked hard to support his family putting himself in this dangerous career. He owned and flew Super Cubs, Stearman and Pawnee aircrafts and maintained restricted chemical licenses. He also enjoyed cash crop farming before retiring to Cobourg.
We miss you dad, forever in our hearts.
Cremation has taken place as by his wishes and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Thank you to Golden Plough staff for their support and care over the years for both our parents and to Northumberland Hills Hospital for their care and compassion to Bill.
Donations in remembrance of Bill would be gratefully accepted by Diabetes Canada, Parkinson Canada or Alzheimer Society.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Diabetes Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Alzheimer Society
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Alzheimer Society
Marilyn and I send our sincere condolences to the Sandham family. To have known Bill through work and as a friend was my good fortune. While I have so many memories of Bill, one stands out for a particular reason. Having often accompanied him in his plane in order to help calibrate the sprayer, one such time took on a new experience. While we approached the end of the runway, with what I expected would be a normal landing, Bill asked if I'd like a demonstration of what happens during an actual application. I agreed, and with that we suddenly veered straight skyward. It took me some time to recovery, but we did eventually enjoy a good laugh. During the summer of 73, after renting an apple orchard with Bill, working together was such a pleasure. Everyone involved appreciated his joyful spirit, including the pickers who regularly remarked about what a great guy he was. You are lovingly remembered Bill! Rest in peace.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Brenda and family. So sorry to hear of your father's passing. He will be in your memories and your heart to help you through this painful time.
Flew Low, Now Flying High.
Donna , Gary & family Our deepest condolences on the loss of your Dad , grandfather. At this extremely hard time hold tight to thoughts, memories, and all the good times you all shared. However gone from us we never forget them or stop missing. My heart hurts for you Donna.
Shawn and Marisa. So sorry for your loss. Sincere condolences.
To the Alexander family I worked at Golden Plough for a few months for K9 security as a one on one attendant for some of the residents. I always looked forward to when I would be working with someone in Bill's section because we'd always have chats. I knew he had Alzheimers and some nights were very difficult for him and he'd wander the halls saying he wanted to leave and I'd joke with him and tell him if he left I was going with him. He'd laugh and it will settle him down.
Brenda and family, Our deepest sympathies to you and your family during this difficult time. May you always feel his hand on your shoulder and hear his laugh echo in your heart. Our heartfelt condolences for the loss of your father. A donation to Diabetes Canada. The Medical Centre Diagnostic Team
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Diabetes Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Diabetes Canada
Our deepest condolences to you and your family Donna.
My sincere condolences to the Sandham family, during this difficult time.
Our deepest condolences to the family of Mr Sandham on you loss of a father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a hard worker. May he RIP
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Alzheimer Society
Sincere condolences to the Sandham Family. Thinking of all of you at this sad and difficult time. He was so lucky to have a Beautiful Family!!
We thank the Lord for knowing Bill and Lois, who befriended us when we were new to FBC and Cobourg some twenty plus years ago. Bill was a very kind, gentle and generous person. Our sincere condolences to Lois and the family.
Our sincere condolences to Bill's family. I grew up in Centreton when it was tobacco country. I can remember many mornings jumping out of bed at the sound of his plane coming. From the bedroom window I'd watch as the plane came into sight, sweep down over the tobacco field and quickly pull up to cross over the Centreton Road. Ward recalls stopping by the roadside on #28 and watching as your dad skillfully landed the plane at the home airstrip... missing the power lines, and being so low to the highway he would have clipped a transport truck had there been one is his way!
I was saddened to hear the passing of Bill. Sending my heartfelt condolences to the Sandham family.
Sincere condolences to the Sandham family on Bill's passing.
To Aunt Lois and family - you have our deepest sympathy. I have fond memories flying with Uncle A and family get togethers. Rest in peace Uncle A.
Dear Donna, Gary & Family - you are in our thoughts with deepest sympathy.
Donna and Gary, sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Sending condolences to you and your families, may he rest in peace!
Sincerest condolences to the Sandham families on behalf of Norma Shackelton and family.
Dear Shelley & Family - So sorry to hear of your dads passing. He will be missed by all who knew him. May your memories bring you comfort & peace at this difficult time. God Bless.
Bill,you leave a legacy of Aviation behind you, was glad to have known you, fly on to Heavens Gate.
My deepest condolences to the family, at this very difficult time. Respectfully, thankful to have known him.
Sending our most deepest sympathy to all of the Sandham Family on your loss. May all the wonderful memories help you during this time.
Our deepest condolences to Lois and the family. Lots of good memories growing up, just down the road.
Sending our hugs and love to all the family. Our friendship with your family started many, many years ago. Bill was a great neighbour, he would come up and plow our driveway, for more years than I can remember. When he was done he would give me a big smile and a wave, I can’t tell you how grateful I was to have such a kind man in my life. We have many memories of generational babysitting, which also added to our special bond. May it be a comfort to you all, knowing how respected he was by many people, a life well lived. Alice and Bill
I grew up on a tobacco farm in Centreton. My father, Ted Quinn, would hire Bill to dust our tobacco crop. I was in such awe of his flying skills, that I would stand in the middle of the field, (not the smartest move I've ever made!), watching as he would fly over the trees at the north end of the farm, dive down to within feet of the field (and me!) and spray his load whilst traversing the field and then fly up and actually clip the trees at the south side of the field. To this day (70 years later), he is still a hero aviator to me. With my deepest sympathy on your loss of this great man.
Condolences to the Sandham family. Bill sprayed for us when we grew tobacco and I know he was well respected in the crop dusting industry. Will always think of him when I pass by the hanger on Hwy 28.
I had my first airplane ride in one of his J 3 duster Cubs I was 5years old ! Forever thankful to have known him !my condolences to Bill's family !
Dear Brenda and family, sending you our love and sympathy at this sad time. He was a lucky man to have such a devoted,caring family. Although our visits were few, over many years, it was always a lovely visit with him. Cheerful and funny. Thinking of you all. Xo
So very sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. Such a blessing to know he is in heaven with Mom. Praying for the entire family.
Sending our deepest condolences to the Sandham family. I have lots of fond memories of their Dad from years ago. I know he will be dearly missed by all.
Dear Shelley and family, We are sorry for your loss and thinking of you at this time of grief.
Our condolences to the Sandham family on the passing of a husband and Father and Grandfather. He will be missed by many.
The Sandham Family Doug and I will be thinking of you all, we will always remember him. May the days ahead find you comfort in the memories he left behind .
Our deepest condolences to Lois and family . Our dad was very fond of Bill and the crop dusting days . You were all great neighbours. Hugs to you all Kind regards Ross ,Rick and Diane
We are so sorry for your loss Donna, Gary and family, our condolences on the loss of your father, such a sad loss thinking of you always ❤️❤️
We are sorry for your loss Donna,Gary and family. Our condolences on your dad‘s passing. Thinking of you all.
Sending love to you all! ~ The Purdhams xoxo
Bill gave us our first plane ride when we lived on our farms north of Port Hope and after retirement he and Lois lived close by in Cobourg as well. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Sorry to hear of your fathers passing. Your family will be in our prayers.
Please accept my sincere condolences to the whole family .I remember Bill well had the oportunity to chat with him on numerous ocasions as I also had an interest in flying and owned my own air planes actually sopped in and talked to him at his airstrip and admired his talents doing the thing he loved flying crop dusting when he was in my neighborhood could watch him for hours at a time may he R I P as he is now flying with the angels above .
Donna,Gary and family My condolences on your dad‘s passing. Thinking of you all.🫶🏼💙💐Jeanie Haig
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Diabetes Canada
To Bill’s family, Please accept my sincere condolences! I remember your dad doing crop dusting for my dad, Cory VanBelois. That’s going back quite a few years! I was very young! I actually have a couple of pictures of one of his planes that crashed in one of our tobacco fields. We lived in Elizabethville at the time. It happened during the tobacco season of 1957. Memories, all to be treasured! Sincerely, Carol Ann & Tom