Charles M. Sands – Pittsburgh, formerly of Carmichaels and Monessen
Charles M. Sands, age 51, of Pittsburgh, formerly of Carmichaels and Monessen, died Sept. 27, 2023, in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. Chas was born on April 13, 1972, in Uniontown, son of the late Charles and Joanne Tressler Sands Stephens. On June 25, 2022, Chas married Jaime Smith-Sands, who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Paige Sands; two stepchildren, Connor and Taylor Smith; a sister, Jodi (Tom) Straight of Barrackville, W.Va., his twin sister, Charlene Juliani of Carmichaels; a brother, the Rev. James (Kristen) Sands of Aliquippa; and nieces and nephews, Corey Straight (Daphne Ryan), Lidea (Noel) Mejia, Amanda, Anthony (Courtney), Sarah, Zachary, Nicholas (Chloe Reefer-Barnes) and Nathan Juliani, and Ryan and Molly Sands; and a great-niece, Faith Juliani. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a niece, Kelsea Straight. Chas was a 1990 graduate of Carmichaels Area High School and a 1997 graduate of California University of Pennsylvania, where he was active in the marching band and served as a drum captain and president of the Theta Gamma chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. He was also a member of the Carmichaels Methodist Church, where he was a youth director and a member of the Praise Band. He enjoyed his profession as a chemist. Music was an important part of his life. Chas was a drumline instructor at Charleroi High School, and a member of the American Legion Band and the Mon Valley Community Band. He was also a Hall of Fame member and former chairman of the Greene County Dartball League. Family and friends will be welcomed from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, at PAUL M. LESAKO FUNERAL HOME INC., 204 Dowlin Ave., Carmichaels, PA 15320, 724-966-5100, Paul M. Lesako owner/supervisor. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Carmichaels Methodist Church with the Rev. Dayton Mix officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Carmichaels Methodist Church, designated for the Charles “Chas” Sands Memorial Music Fund.
