George Sandford "Sandy" Nevens

George Sandford Nevens III, aka “Sandy” Nevens Born: December 18, 1954, Sheffield, MA Died: June 14, 2021, Bay Head, NJ from complications of Alzheimer’s. He is survived by his wife, Willette Brown, his son, Samuel Pulliam Nevens, his brother, Alexander Cameron Nevens (Rachel), his sister in-law, Debi Devine, plus his nieces: Maia, Tory, Hannah, and Maggie Nevens. He was preceded in death by his father, George Sandford Nevens, Jr, his mother, Margaret Pulliam, his step-father, Richard E. Pulliam, and his brother, Gregory Warner Nevens. Sandy was a lifelong educator within the public schools of Maine. After graduation from Bowdoin College, his teaching career began at Skowhegan High School and Islesboro Central School, before he landed at DR Gaul Middle School where he taught for 20 years. He served as Dean of Students at Auburn Middle School, Assistant Principal and Principal, at Camden Rockport Middle School, and then Principal at Warsaw Middle School. It was a rare privilege to be a student of a teacher like Sandy. His sense of humor, enthusiasm, and mildly chaotic approach was infectious. He challenged the motivated and had the ability to draw out the reluctant learner, the lazy intellectual, and the underestimated student. He devoted himself to all of them and spent countless evenings falling asleep while correcting papers. Although he went on to be a Principal, his first love was always in the trenches of the classroom. He was an upfront, outside the box, kind of person who found his niche in the abyss of middle schools. He was funny and very friendly and had taught so many students in town that a trip to the grocery store would take an extra hour while he chatted with people in the aisles, in the check out line, and even in the parking lot. Eventually, he was encouraged to go shopping alone, assuming he would likely be back before dinner. He also served on the board of MAMLE (Maine Association of Middle Level Educators), was a Holocaust Memorial Museum Fellow Teacher, and was a proud member of the Turtle Head Boys Choir. In addition, Sandy and Willette, owned and operated Hunter Hill Farm in Union, Maine for over 30 years. He spent weekends fixing fences, putting up hay, and logging innumerable hours on the tractor. He will be missed by his wife, Willette, his incredibly devoted son, Sam, and their dogs, Quilla, Bridger and Dilly. A celebration of his life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations sent to the Southern Poverty Law Center.