HINSDALE, Mass. — Edwin R. Sanders, 78, of Hinsdale, Mass., passed away on January 26, 2019, at Craneville Place of Dalton.

He was born on April 2, 1940, in Pittsfield, the son of the late Archie and Gladys Parker Sanders. He was educated in Dalton schools and was a 1959 graduate of Dalton High School. He was affectionately called "Bird" by classmates.

Mr. Sanders was a self-employed building and remodeling contractor: E. R. Sanders Contractor, Inc., which he owned and operated for 50 years, retiring in 2007. A meticulous professional, he built many homes and completed custom remodeling jobs in the surrounding hill towns, especially Dalton, Hinsdale and Middlefield. In his retirement he built his dream workshop, a large barn on his property, and cultivated a fine blueberry patch as it was his favorite food! 

He was a Ford V8 enthusiast and annually attended the Rhinebeck antique auto show in New York. A NASCAR fan, he rarely missed a race, traveling to Loudon, N.H., and Daytona, Fla., to experience the live races. 

He is survived by his wife, Mary Rice Sanders of Hinsdale; his three daughters, Denise Turrell and her husband Sean of Pittsfield, Doreen Fahey and her husband Brian of Hilton Head Island, S.C., and Debra Sanders of Stratham, N.H.; his stepdaughter, Amanda Kmetz and her husband Richard of Dalton; his special nephew, Robert (R.D.) Couture of Pittsburgh, Pa.; six grandchildren, Macie and Kaylie Turrell, Sean, Sara and Matthew Fahey, and Christopher Carty; three step-grandchildren, Zachary Kmetz, Stephanie and Nicholas Rice; a sister-in-law, Katherine Sanders of Dalton; brother-in-law Jack and wife Annette Collins of Danvers, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews. 

He was predeceased by his sisters, Nancy Sanders, who died in infancy, and Lois Couture of Dalton; brother Robert Sanders of Dalton; his in-laws, Bernard and Beatrice Collins of Hinsdale,; and his stepchildren, Jessica Rice, who died in infancy, and Frank E. Rice Jr. of Hinsdale. 

A special recognition and thank you to his extended family, the caregivers at Craneville Place of Dalton who lovingly cared for him, and for us, on this unexpected journey. 

Funeral notice: Calling hours will be held Thursday, January 31, 2019, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 East Main Street, Dalton. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Hinsdale in the spring. Donations in his memory may be made to Hinsdale Volunteer Fireman's Association in care of the funeral home.