June 11, 1942 - February 11, 2019
John Sand was born in Whatcom County on June 11, 1942 to parents Agnes Jakobsdottir and Einar Evan Sand. He passed away peacefully from CNS Lymphoma on February 11, 2019.
He has been a long-time resident of Blaine. His mother immigrated from Iceland, and his father came from Norway. John was the youngest of five children and grew up in Point Roberts and in Blaine. He attended Blaine High School, Western Washington University, and received his Masters in Psychology from Antioch University in Seattle.
John liked to travel. He journeyed to Spain, Egypt, Mexico, and Iceland. He lived in New York City, New Orleans, Seattle, and Portland, but came back to live permanently in Blaine in the mid 1980’s. He worked as a teacher, as a counselor, and as a specialist with developmentally disabled people. He was self-employed as a real estate investor and landlord. John was a vegetarian and believed in honoring all living beings. He loved all his dogs, from Frasier and Miguel, to Jack, Jill, and Buddy. He enjoyed his design projects and seeing his vision become reality. An early evening swim at Birch Bay was a favorite summer activity.
John is survived by his daughters, Katherine Kalafus and Evelyn Kalafus-Mastenbrook of Seattle; his friend of forty years, Patricia Kalafus and her wife, Jan Chiles; numerous cousins in Iceland; and relatives and friends in the Blaine and Bremerton areas.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at the Blaine Boating Center on March 10, 2019 from 2-3 pm. Donations in his name may be made to the Alternative Humane Society in Bellingham.
