RUMFORD – Arthur S. Sanchas, 88, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, at his home on Prospect Avenue, with family by his side.

He was born in Warren, R.I., on March 10, 1917, the son of Marianno and Corine (Charbonneau) Sanchas, and attended schools in Warren, R.I.

As a young man, he worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was lead man for the crew responsible for building the stone slab stairway at Glen Ellis Falls. His name is engraved on that stairway.

He was a first class petty officer in the U.S. Navy Seabees during World War II from Oct. 12, 1943, to Jan. 2, 1946. During his military service, he was stationed at Midway.

He worked at Boise Cascade Paper Co. in Rumford for more than 35 years, until retirement in 1980 as a machine tender on No. 9 paper machine.

He was a communicant of St. Athanasius and St. John Church, a life member of Robert Shand Post 1641, VFW, member of Napoleon Ouellette Post 24, American Legion, life member of Rumford Falls Aerie 1248, FOE, life member of LeParesseux Snowshoe Club, life member of Rumford Maine Lodge 862, BPOE, former member of the Father Ambrose J. Barry Council 2091, Knights of Columbus and member of Boise Cascade Paper Co. 25-Year Club.

He was married in Fall River, Mass., on July 19, 1941, to the former Dorothy M. “Dot” Gallant of Rumford, who survives. He is also survived by five daughters, Catherine Rand and husband, Richard, of Portland, Maureen Desjardins and husband, James, of Dixfield, Mary Pride and husband, Daniel, of Milbridge, Margaret McNeal and Robert Grinnell of Rumford, and Rosemary Russell of Denham Springs, La.; five sons, Jonathan Berkleigh of Holly Hill, Fla., Laurence Sanchas and wife, Juliet, of Baton Rouge, La., Joseph Sanchas and wife, Diane, of Peru, Louis Sanchas of Braselton, Ga., and James Sanchas of Ocklawaha, Fla.; brother, Raymond Sanchas and wife, Marie, of Warren, R.I.; 18 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Maria Sanchas.

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