Donald Sandro

Family-Placed Obituary

SANDRO, Donald Donald Sandro of Oxford, OH. passed away Friday morning, December 26 at the age of 91. He is survived by his sister, Josephine; cousin Rose; sisters-in-law, Ann and Barbara; brothers-in-law, Rodney and Robert; his sons, Paul and Phillip; daughters-in-law, JoAnn and Elizabeth; grandsons, Luke and Angel; granddaughter, Janice; nieces, Marie, Donna, Joann, Florence, Ellen, Barb and nephews Nick, Louis, Carl, and Steve and two great grandchildren, Ali and Craig. He was predeceased by his wife Audley. Born December 15, 1912 in Pescasseroli Italy, he immigrated to the United States at age 2 and spent his childhood in Melrose Park, Illinois. He met Audley Quirt at Beloit College where he received a BA in sociology in 1941; they were married in 1942. He became a U.S. citizen in 1943 shortly after entering the army and served in the Philippines during World War II. His work life included three years as a hotel bellboy during high school and four years as a bookkeeper at Oak Park Trust and Savings Bank in Oak Park, Illinois. After college and military service, he returned to work at the same bank and eventually became its President and CEO. During his career he was known as a community leader and a supporter of education and community welfare. A perennial volunteer member of boards and commissions, he was, among other things, director of the Metropolitan Chicago Mental Health Association, the Metropolitan Chicago National Conference of Christians and Jews, and Chicago District Bankers Association; treasurer of the United Negro College Fund of Oak Park; Chairman of the Greater Oak Park Economic Development Association; trustee of Beloit College and Rosary College; president of the American Institute of Banking (Chicago), the Beloit College Alumni Association, and the Thatcher Woods Area Boy Scout Council. When in 1974 he was named Knight of the Order of Merit to the Italian Republic, the Consul General of Italy in Chicago said, "Sandro¹s leadership qualities, concern for his community, empathetic feelings for others, and a long list of accomplishments make him an obvious choice for the Cavaliere award." Don and Audley moved to Southern Pines, N.C. in 1972 and enjoyed retirement, playing golf and participating in community activities. Don worked part time at Pinehurst Country Club and did volunteer work at their church and at the hospital. He also continued fund raising activities for Beloit College. The couple moved to Oxford in 1997 to be near their son Paul. Funeral services were held on November 28th, at the Smith & Ogle Funeral Home, Oxford, Ohio.