LAS VEGAS - AVN received word today that adult video sales vet Donald "Sandy" Sarnblad died March 3. He was 78.
Originally from Worcester, Mass., Sarnblad's career in the adult film business goes back to the 1970s. He worked for VCX owner Norm Arno at S & L Distributors and went on to become a part of the original VCX home video sales team.
Sarnblad later worked for Jack Gallagher at Sidney Niekirk's Cal-Vista, where he hired the young Steve Hirsch.
"What you see is what you get with Sandy," Gallagher told AVN. "He was a stand-up guy. He was so honorable."
Sarnblad later became head of sales for Leisure Time Video.
"Sandy was a great person to work for," said former Leisure Time sales rep Eric Gutterman. "He had a saying: Work hard and have some laughs along the way, and everything will be fine. He was a very personable, happy-go-lucky guy, and he will be missed."
Sarnblad retired from the biz in 2001 and moved to Las Vegas. He passed away two months after suffering a stroke.
He is survived by his wife, Edith and his sons, Anthony of Las Vegas and Michael of Whitinsville, Mass., and one grandson.
A memorial service was held March 14 in Las Vegas. He was buried in Boulder City, Nev.
