Northboro/Boylston

Albert Sanders was born on October 24, 1927, in Worcester, the son of Martha (Kobell) Sanders and Albert E. Sanders, Jr., and lived in Shrewsbury, moving to Northborough when he was in the eighth grade. Al graduated from Northborough High School in 1945.

During high school he worked at Juniper Hill Golf Course and continued there after graduation. During fall of that year he went on active duty in the U. S. Army, and returned to the Golf Course in 1947. In conjunction with his work as superintendent, he had the opportunity to complete winter courses at UMass Amherst. He retired from the Golf Course in 1996, after over 50 years of service.

He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Mildred T. (Jones) Sanders. Sons and daughters of the Sanders/Nelson family: Deborah (Sanders) Brossi and her husband, Stephen of Hudson, Steven Sanders and his wife, Sheila, of Londonderry, NH, David Sanders and his wife, Alexandra of Durham, NC, Bruce Sanders and his wife, Deborah of Martinsburg, WV, Brian Sanders of Northboro, Eric Sanders and his wife, Andrea of Shrewsbury, Janet (Nelson) Keown and her husband, Joseph of Ellington, CT, Charles Nelson and his wife Virginia of Fairfield, IA, William Nelson and his wife, Eileen of Boylston, James Nelson and his wife, Susan of Charlton, eighteen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and one great great-grandchild, many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, predeceased by his sister, Barbara Dahlberg and her husband Karl.

A long-time member of Trinity Church, Al served in many capacities over the years. He belonged to the United States Golf Course Superintendents Association as well as the Massachusetts organization. For many years, he was a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, a fraternal organization, which also sponsored the American Children's Home in North Carolina; he was a member of the Friends of the Northborough Senior Center, Inc. For many years, he volunteered with the meals-on-wheels program. He enjoyed volunteering as a member of the Northborough Helping Hands Association, Inc.

Above all he enjoyed his family, a great Dad leading by example and with encouragement and support. His interests included many years of round dancing and square dancing, travel, camping and travel with a trailer, eating out with friends or family, and all the various family vacations and get-togethers over the years.

He will be greatly missed by all. Calling hours Mon. Jan. 12, 2015, 4 to 7 pm, at Hays Funeral Home 56 Main St., Northboro, MA, Memorial Service on Tuesday Jan..13, 2015 at 11 AM, at Trinity Church 23 Main St., Northboro. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Church. To offer an online condolence or share a memory, please visit www.haysfuneralhome.com