Alvin L. Sprague

I still remember my Handy High Vice Principal, "Mr. Sprague," with fondness. His life was truly a positive influence in so many ways!

I just heard about Mr. Sprague passing today. Worked as a hall monitor for Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Sprague, it was the best time of my life. You will be greatly missed and so will your smile that you gave me every time I walked into your office.

Nancy - May God bless you in this time of sorrow.

I just saw that Al passed away. I wish I could have come to the funeral. He was like a second "Dad" to me in my teen years. I truly have fond memories of him as choir director, and vice principle at Handy. I remember passing him in the hallway at Handy and he would give me a "wink". Everyone else was afraid of him, but he was my friend! That mean't so much to me at a difficult stage in my life.
God bless the family. Miss you all!

I remember Mr Sprague at Handy. He was so kind to us all .. then I interacted with him at Harmony with my mother Lydia room 512. He was kind to us all there too.. Just his wonderful personality. He lives in Heaven now. Great memories for sure ... Beth

Jim, I am sadden to hear of your father's passing. Al lived a full life. He touched many peoples lives through education at T. L. Handy and religion at the First Baptist Church.
Our thoughts and prayers to you and the entire Sprague family! Keep close all your fond memories of your father.

Nancy: So sorry to see on Nan's FB page that Al passed away. My condolences and I will be praying for you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Jan

I was deeply saddened by seeing the notice of Al passing. I for some reason thought of him today, Saturday August 27th and felt I needed to see if he was doing well and I found his lovey words spoken of in his obituary. I was blessed, privileged, and honored to have known Al and Nancy for 2 wonderful years. I enjoyed listening to Al's words of the good Lord. I was a caregiver while he was still at home and had MANY memoriable moments. I will share with you one that I hold dear to my heart. I took All to the river near river walk and there was a VERY LARGE group of geese being fed by a man on a bench. The qeese were everywhere and Al was grabbing my arm and I grabbing his, please note, I'm VERY PETITE and Al,well you know, very tall. As we approached the man on the bench, we froze!!! The geese began coming at Al and I. The man gave us some food to share with them and said stay very still!!! Then to both our surprise the man says, "sir, are you Mr. Spraque Asst. Principal of Handy High from years ago??" Al was SO TICKELED, I could see the joy in his eyes. Al, you will always hold a special place in my heart and THANK YOU, for giving me that time!!! I wish so much I would have seen this news earlier. My prayers and thoughts are with you Nancy and all his family. Michele Anthony

My sincerel sympathy to Mr Sprague's family, he was highly respected at T L Handy by our class of 1962 , and after all the years he took time to attend our "50th" class reunion. RIP Mr. Sprague you were a positive influence on all of our lives..

My sympathy to the Sprague family during this time of loss. My father, Frank Hewitt was another Bay City teacher involved with starting the B. C. E. A.

Al & Nancy & Family
A true friend and will be in our hearts forever. We shared our military time, and stories, as he remembered , and they were great stories. One great man !
I will send my prayers and sincere offerings foe the family.

A fine man and wonderful educator. My gratitude for Al's years at Handy H.S. when I was a humble student. Blessings.

My since condolences to the entire Sprague family. AL was am amazing man that always came with a smile and a witness to Christ! While I know he'll be dearly, missed by all, it brings a smile to think of him dancing and praising the Lord in heaven!

Mr. Sprague touched the lives of so many of us who walked through the halls at Bay City Handy. He will be missed.

Nancy, I'm so sorry for your loss. I never knew Al, but Harlan thought the world of of him. I know the heartache you are going through, and wish you peace and comfort.

May God send Nancy and Alvin's entire family peace and comfort as an angel is welcomed into Heaven.

With deepest condolences, Demian, Michelle, Garrett and Gage Larson

May your family find peace in the wonderful memories you have left with them and know that you have touched many lives in a positive way!

I remember Mr. Sprague as Assistant Principal when I was at Handy. I went to him a couple of times when other students bullied me, and he had a talk with them.

I remember one year during the Merry-Go-Round, during the faculty skit, when the band played 'Hey, Mr. Banjo, play a tune for me'. He came out playing (or at least trying to play) his trumpet. Mike Klass played tuba, Barbara Wall played clarinet, and Mr. Stevenson 'played' a bicycle horn. As he was playing, someone from behind the curtain brought out a hook and tried to 'hook' Mr. Stevenson off stage.

My condolences on your loss.

Mr. Sprague had a positive influence in our live through his leadership at First Baptist, T.L. Handy High and as a family friend when we were growing up. He led the young adult class at First in 1969 that we attended. He lived his life well with integrity and passion for others and as a committed Christ follower. Our prayers and condolences to his family.

I was a student at Handy High when Al was Assistant Principal. I remember him being firm when needed but always concerned about the students. I enjoyed reading about all the ways he made a difference when he was here. We were blessed by this man's life and works!!

Sprague family,
So sorry for your loss. He made the world a better place just by being Mr. Sprague to me as a student at T.L Handy class of 62. He will always be remembered as such a good role model.

Bob Morley number "62" class of "62"

Al was one of the finest, fairest, and best
counselor's at TL Handy high school.
Our 1962 class loved and respected Mr. Alvin Sprague. Al attended our 50th class reunion in 2012, in Bay City, MI.


Frank Englund, Naples,FL

I remember Mr. Sprague very well from TL Handy. My prayers are with the family

What a kind and wonderful man. Your family is in my thoughts as you say good bye to your dad.

Nancy - We're so sorry to hear of Al's passing but so thankful for the years you had together. May you find comfort in the joyful memories and the knowledge that you will see him again.

I was a student and graduated from T.L. Handy in 1971. Mr. Spraug was always such a nice person. Sorry for your loss.

He certainly lived a full life. He was a great Assistant Principal at T.L. Handy and a very nice man. (I worked with Ruth in the attendance office our senior year.) Hugs to all and prayers!

Jennifer, so sad to hear of your dad's passing. Great man. Kind man. I remember getting the chance to see him and talk to him a few years back at the football game. I also remember him saving my butt a few times in high school - he didn't have too but he did. Keeping you and your family in our prayers.

A life well lived by an outstanding and excellent role model to so many of us! Thank you Mr. Sprague, may you rest in peace!

Jennifer and Family:

I am so sorry about the loss of Mr. Sprague. He was such a kind man, who worked so well with my father George, at T.L. Handy. It was so kind of him to check in on my mother after my father passed away, and we so appreciated that.

May you all find comfort in the Lord through this difficult time.

RIP Mr. Sprague... Class of 1971