May God bless you and your...
Rest in Peace Joe still missed
Don Deane
December 06, 2022
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Photo courtesy of Byles-Groton Memorial Home - Groton
Joseph A. Sandora
New London, Connecticut
Apr 1, 1927 – Dec 10, 2015 (Age 88)
About
BORN
April 1, 1927
DIED
December 10, 2015
AGE
88
LOCATION
New London, Connecticut
Obituaries
Send FlowersByles-Groton Memorial Home - Groton Obituary
GROTON - Joseph A. Sandora, 88 of Voluntown, formerly of Groton. The former Chief of Police for the City of Groton died Thursday morning December 10, 2015 in Mystic.
Joe was born in Groton on April 1, 1927 to Manuel and Mary (Pescatello) Sandora. He married Mary Miner in 1952. Mary passed away on February 6, 1990. He then married Helen Collins in 2003 and she survives.
Joe was a World War II Veteran of the US Navy. After the service he joined the Groton City Police in 1951, he attended the Kodak School of Crime Scene Photography, the New York School of Pyrotechnics, and had operated the Police boat. He was named Chief in 1978 where he served until retirement in 1986.
In 1983 he wrote an article for the FBI Bulletin entitled, "Large Crowd Control in a Small City" reflecting his experience with Electric Boat and the Trident submarines.
He was a lifetime member of the New England Police Chiefs Association, Connecticut Chiefs of Police Association, Fraternal Order of Police, National Rifle Association and the Groton Sportsmen's Club.
He enjoyed duck and deer hunting, gun collecting and traveling.
Besides his wife he is survived by his two daughters, Joanne Montali of Groton and Patricia Lattimore of Gales Ferry, a sister Susan Sandora of Old Lyme, 3 grandchildren Michael Palmer, Joseph Vera and Anita Vondesaar and 5 great grandchildren Tyler and Benjamin Nelson, Brandon Vondesaar, Erica and Mary Palmer. He was predeceased by his two sisters Mary Precup and Francis Grandall
Visitation Sunday 4:00-6:00 pm at the Byles-Groton Memorial Home 310 Thames Street. Graveside service with military honors 11:00 am Monday at the Starr Burial Ground on Lestertown Road in Groton. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Center for Hospice Care 227 Dunham Street Norwich, CT 06360 or to the CT Humane Society 169 Old Colchester Road, Quaker Hill, CT 06375.
Guest Book
Oh how do I begin....Joe and Mary, I'm praying you was there waiting when Joanne crossed over. You have your wonderful daughter with you now . I lost my best friend, I'm still grieving, my heart is broken . I can't imagine my life without Joanne in it. I have such WONDERFUL memories of being with your family. You treated me like a another daughter. The saying everyone says, "she's in a better place" couldn't be more right. This world today is so messed up. Give Joanne hugs from me,...
Carmen White
December 07, 2021 | Groton | Friend
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A great gentleman and a good skeeting partner. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Sandora family.
Richard & Lucille McGee
December 15, 2015 | Canterbury, CT
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My prayers and thoughts are with Helen in her time of grief over Joe's passing. I don't have the words to express my sadness at her loss.
Love, Mike Lena
December 15, 2015
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When I was about 11 years old, my mother and I were visiting my Grandfather at his home in Mystic. My Grandmother had passed away only a short time before, and we had stayed behind. Dad needed to return to work, and took my two older brothers with him, back to our home in Vermont.
Sometime after, one evening, my Grandfather had a sudden onset of severe abdominal pains while we were gathered together in the living room watching T.V. My mother and Uncle rushed to his side and we all...
Dean Middleton
December 15, 2015 | Fairbanks, AK
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To the Sandora family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I worked with Joe for several years at the PD and always had great respect for him.
John Gill
John Gill
December 14, 2015 | Lake Placid, FL
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I really don't know where to begin, if I wrote about all the sweet memories I have of this man, and this family it would become a novel.
This family was like my second family. I grew up with Joanne, both our families knew each other when she and I were little girls. I loved waking up there on Saturday mornings after Joanne and I Disco'd the night away every weekend. They would have fresh bagels, cream cheese, and coffee just waiting for us on the kitchen table.
Mom...
Carmen White
December 13, 2015 | Groton, CT
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Joe was the best, he made the city of Groton proud to be their chief of police. Joe knew and understood people there should be more like him in this profession.
My deepest sympathy to his family. Betsy Gibson
December 13, 2015
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The Sandora Family,
My sympathy on your loss. Joe was one of the nicest people and best cops that I ever had the privilege to work with. His character and unflappable professionalism in the most stressful situations made him a great leader. I will always remember the days we spent policing demonstrations outside EB together.
Carl Johnson
December 13, 2015 | Sanford, ME
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