Sandovals bid farewell

With Lieutenants Dennis and Mary Maybury arriving today as the new officers for the local Salvation Army, Capts. Angel and Marlene Sandoval want to thank the community they’ve called home for the past nine years before they move on to their new posting in Ariano Irpino, Italy.
“The years passed by so quickly since we were appointed in Fort Frances,” said Capt. Angel Sandoval in a phone interview yesterday. “I don’t know where the time went.

“One of things I noticed was the community was so welcoming from the beginning. Even though we are not local people, we quickly became part of the community in our hearts, and it with our hearts that we served the community, reaching out to those less fortunate in the district,” he added.
Capt. Sandoval thanked Mayor Roy Avis and the rest of town council for their generosity and support over the years, as well as all the individual volunteers, businesses, churches and other groups that have donated time and money to help the Salvation Army here help community members in need.
He added that he and his wife have received cards wishing them well in their new appointment in Italy, and they’re grateful for those.
“Thanks to everyone is in Fort Frances for the support, kindness and generosity we have received throughout all the years we have served here,” noted Capt. Sandoval.
Likewise, Capt. Sandoval hopes the community now will support Lieutenants Dennis and Mary Maybury just as well, if not better, than they have the Sandovals, adding that he is aware this will be the Mayberrys’ first posting. The Mayberrys have moved here from Winnipeg.
Capt. Sandoval noted it’s been nine years since he and his family moved here from Hamilton.
Since that time, his daughter, Oneyda, grew up and went graduated from the University of Brandon, became a teacher and has plans to work in Kuwait in the near future, while son, David, graduated high school and is currently attending York University with the intention to become a medical doctor and return to Fort Frances to practice.
“I think that the Lord has been blessing us, and especially, blessing them,” he added, noting his family has had “good opportunities” here.
The Sandovals are looking forward to their new posting, and while they’re sad to leave Fort Frances, Italy will be “an adventure.”
Neither of them have been to Italy before, Capt. Sandoval added, chuckling Ariano Irpino is bigger than Fort Frances, but smaller than Rome.
Like any community, there is need there, and the Sandovals will try to do their best with support of the community there and God.