Carl Melville Sawyer, 92, of Truro, passed away Monday, October 11th at home, after a 6-month battle with lung cancer. He passed peacefully in his sleep.
Born in Hyannis February 12, 1929, to Edgar Freeman Sawyer of Lynn, a carpenter and Mary Christina (Avila) Sawyer, of Provincetown, a teacher. Raised in Provincetown since birth, he attended school until the 6th grade when he left to work in support of his family. Carl served in the United States Army during the Korean War after which he returned to his hometown. Quite the roller skater, he would travel to the West Yarmouth Rainbow Rollerdome and show off his skating talents. It is there he met and eventually married Patricia Dawn (Temple) Sawyer. They settled in Provincetown and raised their 5 children.
Carl worked for the Provincetown Water Department for many years. He would often say, there isn’t a pipe in town that he didn’t dig by hand. He was an auxiliary Provincetown Police Officer, Town Jailer and volunteer Provincetown Firefighter with Engine 3. He was also known as a trapper and scrapper, trapping critters for people and scrapping for copper, aluminum and brass. He had a talent for construction and plumbing and would often lend a hand to anyone that needed it.
He marched, built floats and rode motorcycles in many of the 4th of July parades and would assist in lighting the town’s fireworks. He was past Commander of the Provincetown American Legion, Morris Light Post 71 and member of Provincetown VFW, Lewis A. Young Post. He was a very active member of both Veteran organizations and took great pride in attending all of the Veteran and Memorial Day Ceremonies. Up until his body wouldn’t allow, each Memorial Day, he would place Flags on the graves of those who served.
Carl was a friend to everyone he met and would go out of his way to help you. As a father he would come home after a long day of work and join the neighborhood in a game of kickball. He was a stand-in dad; he stood in at boy scouts for a boy who lost his dad at sea and he marched three women down the aisle at their weddings who lost their fathers. In 1985, Carl and Pat sold the family home in Provincetown and built a home in Truro. Carl made a great home in Truro but his heart remained in Provincetown. Up until a few weeks ago Carl, with Pat always by his side, could be seen on their daily rides to Stop and Shop and to sit at the end of MacMillian Pier to watch the crowds come off the Boston Boat. Carl took his last ride down MacMillian Pier and then down Commercial Street Monday courtesy of friend Jim Keefe of Gately Funeral Home.
Carl is survived by his wife Patricia Sawyer of Truro, sons Timothy Sawyer and wife Eileen of Saint Johns, Arizona, Jonathan Sawyer and wife Janice of Dennis and daughter Jill Sawyer of Truro and. He also leaves brother Raymond Sawyer and sister Roberta McKay, both of Provincetown, as well as several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends. He was predeceased by two sons, Mark Sawyer and Carl Michael Sawyer Jr., brother Edgar Sawyer and two sisters, Edith Roderick and Shirley McWilliams.
Calling hours will be held Sunday, October 24th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Gately Funeral Home, 94 Harry Kemp Way, Provincetown. A Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am, Monday October 25th at Provincetown United Methodist Church, 20 Shankpainter Rd, Provincetown. Burial, with military honors will follow in Old North Cemetery, Truro.
If desired, donations in Carl's name may be made to Lower Cape Ambulance Association, PO Box 1721, Provincetown, MA 02657 or by visiting lowercapeambulance.org.