PJ Sand, 65
On Jan. 14, at his home in Coeur d’Alene, PJ (Phillip James) Sand, transitioned to heaven to meet his Savior. PJ’s early-life and ongoing exposures to Perchloroethylene compromised his health so that substances harmed him greatly. PJ had taken the Covid vaccinations.
PJ was born on Aug. 19, 1955, to Paul and Inez Sand in Coeur d’Alene. The family always celebrated the deep German roots of his father, Paul.
PJ loved the fact that for 50 years he never lived more than 6 blocks from downtown Coeur d’Alene. He and his mother, father and nine siblings were a fixture in all things Coeur d’Alene. He grew up on Coeur d’Alene Avenue across from the IHM school and St. Thomas Catholic Church — where the church was a fixture in their traditions — having uncles and an aunt in the clergy, as well. PJ transitioned to Coeur d’Alene High School when IHM closed and he graduated from Coeur d’Alene High in 1973.
Family was a way of life for PJ in an extra-special way. Beginning in the wee hours of the morning, dad, mom, PJ and all his siblings would work together at their family business, French Cleaners on Locust Avenue, Coeur d’Alene. Even though PJ had dedicated much of his life to his family and their business together, he also carried those traits through to everything he did. PJ was loyal, meek, humble, gracious and always unassuming. The family loyally worked together and played together — enjoying fishing was one of their best memories with their father at the family cabin in Priest Lake.
PJ was predeceased by both of his parents, Paul and Inez. He also was predeceased by his sister Cathy Farquar, his brother Timothy Sand, and just recently, in 2021, by his younger sister, Barbara Tolley, and his younger brother, Andy.
PJ met his wife, Rhonda Fleming, at McEuen Field playing softball during the summer of 1978. They were married for 29 years, divorced and remained friends. At 50 years old, PJ became the father to Mittu and Abel. Along with Mittu Sand of Burien, Wash., Abel Sand of Coeur d’Alene, he had grandchildren Ada, Amiya and baby Amari — a grandson due to arrive in two weeks.
His character and kindness was passed on to his son and daughter and he loved being a parent to them. PJ is also survived by his brothers Don, Skip, Ken, Mike and Nick and their wives and children, uncles and aunts, many cousins and numerous lifelong friends whom he held dear.
PJ only ever had friends and considered no one an “enemy;" he loved to love people. His gift was simply loving people. He always produced a radiant smile even though he was in constant pain these last several years. PJ came alive with any social gathering of his trusted and dear, lifelong friends.
He had formerly been an avid golfer (including St. Andrews, Scotland), was a great softball player and bowler. Boating with friends and being on the lake was a fun part of his life for many years. He loved travel and traveled to many of the beautiful places that God created — including the Holy Land and Lands of the Bible — making friends everywhere that he went. PJ also was a familiar fixture in the summer as he drove around in his 1974 Volkswagen Thing — with a wiener dog propped up on his lap. He cherished the times he could share it with his friends in Coeur d’Alene. PJ gave his life to the Lord Jesus Christ in August, 1981, and was baptized in July, 1982. As promised, God finished the work that He began in PJ.
PJ’s family and children invite you to celebrate his life together at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, at the Altar Church, 901 Best Ave., in Coeur d’Alene. Donations in honor of our incredible PJ may be made to Good Samaritan Rehabilitation, 901 Best Ave., Coeur d'Alene. PJ will be interred at St. Thomas Cemetery along with his family.
Visit PJ’s memorial and sign his online guestbook at englishfuneralchapel.com.
