John Sandilands
The Sandilands name has a longstanding history as a contributor to Williamstown and Charlottenburgh agriculture, teaching, and sport history. Among the family members who have been prominent in recording those chapters of Glengarry heritage is John William Sandilands, born December 7, 1921, at the Sandilands pioneer homestead on the Third Concession of Charlottenburgh.
John Sandilands lives with his wife, the former Connie Snider, East Front of Lancaster. He will be enshrined in the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 13 in Maxville.
After graduating from public school, S.S. 14, Charlottenburgh, John Sandilands attended the village high school where, in addition to matriculation studies, he was taught the basic fundamentals of hockey, football, basketball and track and field. His tutor was Glengarry Hall of Fame member “Wellie” Barrett, who was for many years, the principal of that historic seat of learning, Williamstown High School.
John William Sandilands embarked on a teaching career following his graduation from Ottawa’s Normal School. Like many of his pioneer predecessors, his first teaching assignment was in a concession public school. This was in Lochiel and it was logical that he would join the football (now soccer) team that played their home games on the Father Gauthier field beside St. Alexander’s church just a jog west of Quigley’s.
He next taught and played football closer to home at Glen Gordon. John recalls that Glen Gordon was eliminated that year by Greenfield in the Glengarry finals.
From Glen Gordon, John Sandilands spent four and a half years in the RCAF and RAF air crew, taught two years in Lancaster, seven terms in Simcoe, tow in Malartic and, in the role of principal, 26 years at the combined high school, St. Hubert, Que.
During all those years, John Sandilands was active in the realm of sport. He excelled in curling where he was highly rated among the masters of the “stane and the broom” in the dual role of skip and as an executive member.
Apart from curling in all branch events for the St. Hubert curling club, John Sandilands was a member of the Canada vs. U.S. team five times in the Cordons International bonspiels. However, among his cherished curling memories is twice winning the prestigious Edinburgh Trophy and the Tri Service competition three times.
In mixed curling, John Sandilands played and won in area bonspiels at Loraine, S. Sauveur (twice), St. John, Belaire, Otterburn, St. Hubert (twice), Longue Pointe, St. Lambert, St. Bruno, Lancaster and South Shore.
Among the many other bonspiels, John Sandilands vividly recalls the men’s competitions at the Alexandria Moose, Lancaster Fisherman’s (twice), St. Hubert, St. Bruno, and the seniors at Smiths Falls, Glenmore and St. Hubert. Add Quebec Seniors championship three times, Quebec City (twice) and Asbestos.
After retiring and returning home to Lancaster, John Sandilands competed with the Lancaster Legion Branch team six times.
In addition to his curling awards over the years, John Sandilands competed an equally distinguished education career. He was a reserve Cadet Officer for seven years and during that time founded the St. Hubert Air Cadet squadron. He is a life member of P.Q. Retired Teachers Association; member of Quebec Association School Administrators, and he served a term as president, received the Distinguished Service Award in 1978, served on Comite du Plan under the ministry of education, he was a past president of the South Shore Principal’s Association, he was a past president of the interscholastic Athletic Association, and a summer school instructor at Bishop’s U. for seven years.
John Sandilands executive skills included leadership at the provincial command level of the Canadian Legion in Ontario.
