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Sherwin "Sonny" Gandee
Sherwin "Sonny" Gandee, age 84, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2013 with his family at his side.
He was a resident in the downriver community for over 50 years and had most recently been living in Gibraltar and Grosse Ile.
Sonny was born in Akron, Ohio in 1929 to Sherman and Betty Gandee, along with twin, Sherman (Joe) Gandee Jr. He also had two sisters, GeGe, and Joy. He attended Garfield High School in Akron and Ohio State University where he played his life's passion, Football. In 1949 Sonny married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Grecni (deceased 2008). He was drafted into the NFL in 1952 and played with the Detroit Lions 1952 to1958, retiring from the NFL in 1958. He was a member of three World Championship NFL teams 1952, 1952 and 1957. In 1966 he was inducted into the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio. After retiring from the NFL he was owner of "Sonny Grandee's Celebrity House" in Wyandotte, now carrying the name of R.P. McMurphy's. He worked in the automotive industry until retirement at which time he moved to Florida until returning to Gibraltar in 2008. He was a long-time member at the Grosse Ile County Club where he enjoyed many days on the course and evenings at the Club mingling with friends and his family. He was also a long time member of the Elba-Mar Boat Club and used it as home base for his fishing expeditions which led to some of the biggest fishing stories of the Detroit River.
Sonny Gandee was one of the exceptional people that you only meet once in a great while. He was truly a person of character, personality, integrity and led a life of example. He had many great accomplishments both personally and professionally but non greater than husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. A great man passed away on July 21, 2013 and he will forever be in our hearts and in our memories.
Sonny is survived by his wife, Jo Burgett-Amo; son, Sonny Gandee Jr. (wife Catherine); his daughter, Gail Collier; and his sister, Genevieve Anderson. He is also survived by grandchildren, David Collier (wife Rachel), Sonny Gandee III (wife Stephanie), Kelly Collier, Cory Collier, Corey Chandler (wife LaKeisha); and great-grandchildren, Devon Collier, Corey Chandler II, Sonny Gandee IV, and Emerson Gandee; step-children, Brian Orlandi, and Cassandra Pallaghy. Among his survivors are local residents, Gregory C. Anderson (wife Jamie), Sherman Gandee Jr. (wife Anna Marie), Kevin Gandee (wife Patty), and Shelle Gandee Shaikh. No funeral/service will be held.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Jo Burgett Amo.
HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE.
I feel so blessed that you were a big part of my life. You are loved and missed by so many people. I still keep your memory alive.
I LOVE YOU FOREVER, YOUR WIFE, JO
Jo Amo
Family
February 27, 2024
Papaw...we miss you every single day. Your love of football and fishing is being carried out by your namesake, Sonny IV. I wish he and all your other grandchildren had the opportunity to now you, to listen to your stories and to fill their lives with your love and enrichment. You are always on my mind and in my heart.
Love, Cathy
Catherine Gandee
July 21, 2023
My Dear Sonny, You have a very special place in my heart. I miss you and love you very much. Your Wife, Jo
Jo Amo
July 21, 2015
Happy Birthday My Love, Thinking of you is easy, I do it everyday. missing you is a heartache that never goes away. I love you, your wife, Jo
February 27, 2015
You are forever in our hearts . . . Missing you always, Sonny & Cathy 07/21/2014
Catherine Gandee
July 22, 2014
Sonny: Brother-in-law, uncle & friend....kind, caring & thoughtful....a very special part of our family. We miss you. But now, you are running & playing football in that "Big Football Field" in the sky, while your parents, family & friends who have gone before, cheer you on. We cheer for you, too! Gone, but not forgotten. Barbara, Gary & Lynne
Barbara Mills
July 21, 2014
SONNY, Your Presence I miss, Your Memory I treasure, Loving you always, Forgetting you never.. Jo
Jo Amo
July 21, 2014
Happy Birthday, Sonny: We miss you. Barbara, Gary & Lynne
Barbara Mills
February 27, 2014
you are my uncle, and I am proud to be your nephew
kyle ballard
October 16, 2013
I've always loved you uncle sonny, and i'll never forget you
kyle ballard
October 16, 2013
My Husband, My best Friend, The Love of my Life.. My heart is broken..Your Wife
Jo Amo
August 8, 2013
Dearest Uncle Sonny,...thinking of you and praying your journey leads you to a greater place. I will always remember your strong nature and kindness,...you were always so very good to me. God bless you.
Gary Brundage
August 7, 2013
Our sympathy to Jo and all the family
from Al & Ann Allotta Wyandotte
August 5, 2013
Sonny was more than just a brother-in-law. he was my second father--my coach--my teacher--an absolute positve influence on my life. We will miss him dearly. He was surely loved by all of us...Dick Grecni
Dick Grecni
August 4, 2013
Jo, we are so sorry for your loss.
Carole Vandenberg & Joan Hemsworth, St. James
August 2, 2013
Deepest sympathy to the Gandee and extended family's. Known you most all my life--Will deeply be missed. Reifsnider Family
Craig Reifsnider
July 29, 2013
God bless You Uncle Sonny! I So Adored You! You Were A Good Man With a Very Kind Heart! You Lived A Wonderful Life & Was Good To Everyone!
May God Bless Your Wonderful Family During This time Of Sorrow.
Tamala Grecni
July 29, 2013
Deepest sympathy! Remembering a great career and a terrific guy.
GHS Class of 1947. Former teammate.
Walt Herbruck
July 29, 2013
Our deepest sympathy, Jo
The ladies of St. James
July 28, 2013
I want to extend my condolences to the entire Gandee Family, I am the granddaughter of Claude and Freda Gandee. Claude Gandee was Sonny's Uncle.Although Claude Gandee was not related by blood he was still my favorite Grandpa and his brother Sherman and Papa Gandee would watch Sonny play football on TV some Sundays with me! GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU
Suzanne Stephan
July 28, 2013
May God Bless you. My deepest condolenses to your family.
Jeff Miller
July 28, 2013
Kevin,sorry for your loss.
Brian Neiferd
July 28, 2013
Sonny & Cathy so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family. Dennis & Jan Piacentini
Dennis Piacentini
July 27, 2013
We miss you......
Catherine Gandee
July 27, 2013
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