Joseph Mario Sandri, Sr., 95 years old, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2025, in Columbus, Georgia. He was born March 9, 1929, at home, 3050 N. Menard, Chicago, Illinois, to Victor Sandri and Mary (Di Leonardi) Sandri. Joe was a devoted and loving husband, father of four, and grandfather of five.
Joe was the third of four children. Joe grew up in the Belmont and Central neighborhood. Some uncles, aunts, and cousins lived for a time in the same multi-dwelling unit house at 3050 North Menard in northwest Chicago, that an uncle built in the 1920s. At that time, there were mostly fields and forests in the area.
Always a hard worker, Joe, at age 10 served as a courier for his father’s business, which made custom-tailored men’s suits. Patterns were cut from heavy paper based on the measurements that his father took. Joe gathered patterns from the pattern maker in downtown Chicago. When Joe was 15, his father passed away, likely largely related to lingering World War I injuries due to surviving both chlorine gas attacks and being shot. His mother kept him well-fueled with fresh homemade bread, homemade lasagna, and many other dishes. As a teenager, Joe worked multiple jobs. He bussed tables at Chicago’s largest restaurant, the Forum Cafeteria, which at its height served 12,000 meals a day. He mowed the neighborhood cemetery’s lawn. At night, he stocked shelves at the neighborhood A&P grocery.
A good student, Joe graduated from Steinmetz High School in Chicago in 1946. He promptly signed on for a two-year term with the U.S. Army. As a private, he took a troop ship to Okinawa, Japan as part of the U.S. occupation army. He served two years and was honorably discharged at the rank of Master Sergeant. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1952 from Illinois Institute of Technology and in 1956 a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Michigan State University.
Joe began his career as a research chemist for Standard Oil of Indiana, later taking jobs in Chicago. He moved the family to Michigan in 1972 with his last job there as President of Organic Chemicals, Inc. Later opportunities brought him to jobs in Maryland and then to Columbus, Georgia with Callaway Chemical.
He enjoyed playing baseball as a child. He would take his girlfriend (and later wife) Lois to double-header games at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. Back then, it was allowed to play on the field between games and he could hit home runs over the outfield wall, for fun and to impress his future bride. His other interests included, ballroom dancing, bridge, archery, golf, classical music, and cheery repartee with his guests. He was an avid runner and would sometimes log runs through the Green Island Hills neighborhood in both the morning and in the evening. Joe was an active member of the Columbus Rotary for multiple decades, and a past president of the Lullwater Homeowners Association.
Joe always began his mornings with fresh ground organic coffee and multiple newspapers. His dinner featured a glass of Sangiovese (the main grape in Cabernet) wine alongside pasta primavera or other delightful dishes prepared by his bride. He loved Verdi’s opera, Nabucco. When he left a voicemail for his children, it always began with, “This is your ever-loving father.”
Dr. Sandri is preceded in death by 27 days by the love of his life and wife of 65 years, Lois Mae (Harrison) Sandri. They were introduced through his older brother, Gus, who was best friends with Lois’ brother-in-law, Don Farwell. Joe and Lois were married on January 24, 1959, at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Chicago, Illinois. Together, they raised their four children, to whom they were devoted.
Dr. Sandri is preceded in death by exactly 22 years, to the day, by his son, Michael. One day when Dr. Sandri was 92 years old as he was checking the mailbox, a cardinal landed on his forearm and just stayed there. He had never had a bird land on him in his life. They looked at each other for a while. He believed it was a message from Michael. Later when he was videotaped retelling the story, a cardinal appeared in the bushes behind him.
He is predeceased by his older sister, Mary Sandri, who died at childbirth; his older brother, Gus Sandri; his younger brother, Enrico Sandri; and his son and daughter-in-law, Michael Victor Sandri and Holley Kortan Sandri. He is survived by his children, Joan Piccariello (Harry), Joseph Sandri, Jr., and Maria Kent; grandchildren, Eva McNell (Bradley), Rachael Sandri, Joseph Sandri III, Joseph Piccariello, and Celia Kent; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Dr. Sandri was a lifelong devoted Catholic and a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Columbus, Georgia. If desired, donations may be made to the parish in memoriam (Holy Family Catholic Church, 320 12th St, Columbus, Georgia, 31901; www.holyfamilycolumbus.com.
A Rosary will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM with a Visitation from 5:30 PM until 7:00 PM in Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia 31907. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, January 6, 2025 at Holy Family Church, 320 12th Street Columbus, Georgia 31901. Burial will follow in Parkhill Cemetery.
