Albert J. Tarz Bertrand

Albert "Tarz" Bertrand, 96, of Sanford, died October 16 at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough.Tarz was a man ahead of his time. His fun loving and healthy approach to life, his devotion to family, his outpouring of community service and strong dedication to fellow veterans made him a man worthy of note.He was born in St. Andrea, PQ, Canada on July 1, 1917, the son of Edward and Marie Bertrand. He came to this country as a child and became a citizen at the age of 8. He attended Sanford schools and worked in the local mills to help support his family. He later worked at Pioneer Plastic, Eastern Plastic and finally at WASCO where he retired at the age of 72. Inspired by the Ringling Bros. Circus, at the age of 15 Tarz began tumbling, weight lifting and body building. In 1941, he was awarded the first title of Mr. Maine. That same year he became the Middle Weight Lifting Champion of Maine. Even into the 1980's he continued to put on strength and balancing exhibitions at the Mr. Maine contest. He became the first member of the Sanford-Springvale YMCA in 1979 where he worked out for 90 minutes 6 days a week. This was in addition to a 10 mile bike ride and 35 minutes of yoga daily. He continued this routine into his late 80's. He is proud to say he did his last handstand at the age of 80. While at the YMCA, he volunteered, teaching children how to swim, dive and exercise.Tarz was a fixture at the YMCA. He was its strongman, its human pretzel, its "Godfather of Fitness." On August 31 of this year, representatives of the YMCA traveled to the Veterans Home in Scarborough to present him with two plaques, a hat and a cake. One of those plaques will be affixed to a wall in the YMCA's new expansion. Tarz proudly served in the US Marine Corps from 1941-1945, reaching the rank of corporal while serving in the Battle of Kwajalein, the Battle of Saipan and the Battle of Tinian during World War II. He was also stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for 16 months. While serving in the Pacific, Tarz and 37 other Marines formed an acrobatics group to perform for the troops. They flew all over the Pacific islands performing for the troops in areas that were too dangerous for Bob Hope and the USO to visit. In the audience were such people as Henry Fonda and General Holland Smith. His love and dedication to the Marines continued and he believed and honored the motto Semper Fidelis. He donated monthly to the Disabled American Veterans and when Desert Storm began, he wrote letters of support and encouragement to young Marines serving overseas. He was a member of the AMVETS and the VFW.Tarz was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Katherine "Kitty" (Wyman) Bertrand in February.Survivors include his son Randy Bertrand and his wife Bonnie of Dover, NH, daughter Sharon Waterhouse and her husband John of Sanford, son Craig O'Brien and his wife Pam of Sanford, son Richard O'Brien and his wife Sandra of Springvale, son Wayne Tuttle of Massachusetts, 14 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.Military honors will be rendered at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Springvale on Friday, November 8 at 11:00 AM.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale. Condolences can be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.