John Wayne Sandberg

He is survived by his five children: Deborah (Bryan) Posselli, John D. Sandberg, Julie (Kevin) Cross, Michael Sandberg, and Katie Sandberg, as well as his two grandchildren: Alexandria Posselli and Amelia Posselli. Throughout his life he also developed many significant, meaningful friendships. Too many to list here, truly. But you know who you are. For many, John was their go-to when they needed someone to talk to, and he made sure everyone had a place in his schedule. He had the biggest heart, and his buoyant personality and infectious laugh made his many friends feel like family.

John worked at ‘the phone company’ for thirty years. There, he started by collecting coins from payphones and worked his way up to the point where he was applying and mastering some of the most cutting-edge technologies in the telecommunications industry. Throughout the years there he forged many lifelong friendships.

In his youth, he spent two impactful years in Sweden, where he developed a deep love of the people, their language, and their culture. Swedish Pancakes, pepparkakor cookies, Non Stop candies – all were favorites of his. As for lutefisk? Just say no…

John was funny, light-hearted, kind to those around him, and made friends wherever he went. His mechanics, his doctors, food service workers, even the staff at Nielsen’s Frozen Custard, one of his favorite haunts. In his younger days, he was a dedicated and well-loved coach, both of boys’ basketball and girls’ softball. He always strived to help his players do their very best.

He was a lover of music; he often recalled fondly his time spent playing the upright bass with his high school orchestra and his band mates. He always gravitated toward songs with standout bass lines and syncopated beats. He enjoyed dancing to live music, attending concerts, and playing the video game Rock Band in his later years.

John always loved fast cars and loud engines, and was happy to own a variety of Ford Mustangs in his life. Few things made him feel as alive as when he was zooming down the highway to the sound of a powerful engine, shifting gears and racing ever-forward, be it on a Japanese motorcycle or behind the wheel of a high-horsepower sports car.

He was a friend to animals and developed bonds with many pets over the years, starting in his early youth and continuing through his entire life. He loved stories and movies, and always appreciated a solid ‘good triumphs over evil’ narrative. He loved the Harry Potter series (both watching the movies and listening to the books) and was a proud Gryffindor. Hagrid and Dobby were his favorite characters.

John could never get enough when it came to vivid colors, and his eyes would light up when he saw vibrant animation, lights, or artwork. He never let being colorblind stop him from appreciating the multitude of colors the world has to offer.

So, in closing – if you’re looking to remember John, do something he loved to do in life. Enjoy some Swedish cuisine, take a drive in a car with a roaring engine, befriend a service worker, appreciate some of life’s most vivacious colors, or put on a song with an inescapable rhythm and take the time to really focus on the bass line. Revel in that beat and dance or drum along. Those are truly among the best ways to honor him, and he would surely love to know that those who knew and loved him keep his memory living on.

It seems only fitting to end with a quote (and I couldn’t pick just one) from some of the songs that were the most ‘John’ – fun, good-natured, and appreciated by all.

“Que sera sera, whatever will be, will be. The future’s not ours to see. Que sera sera…”

“Be kind to your web-footed friends, For a duck may be somebody’s mother, Be kind to your friends in the swamp, For the weather there is very, very damp… Now you may think that this is the end… WELL IT IS!”

A celebration of life will be held in John’s honor at a later date.