Andrew L. Sperr

Andrew L. Sperr
Andrew L. Sperr, fondly known as Andy, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2025. Born on May 9, 1930, he often called it "a vintage year." He was the son of German and Anna (Reister) Sperr, who immigrated from Germany to the United States in the 1920s and proudly became U.S. citizens around 1936.
Andy is survived by his devoted wife of 73 years, Jean (Walz), and six of their eleven children: Nancy (Mike) Iafrati, Daniel (Sandra) Sperr, John (Sheila) Sperr, Judith Bennett, Patricia (Chris) Ryan, and Kathleen (Jonathan) Krotz; daughters-in-law, Karen Sperr and Mary Clare Sperr. He was predeceased by five of their children: NYSP Trooper Andrew J., Mary Ellen (Maloney), Barbara (Koons), James, William, and sons-in-law Ralph Koons and Jeff Bennett. No one should have to bury a child, let alone five.
He is also predeceased by his siblings, Anna Krenzer, Rita Weiss and Philip Sperr. Andy leaves behind many cherished grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Andy attended St. Michael's School and graduated from Edison Tech in 1948. He earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rochester in 1952 through the U.S. Naval ROTC program. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Taconic (AGC-17) until his honorable discharge in 1955.
He worked at Eastman Kodak for 31 years, holding various roles in Industrial Engineering, Film Emulsion, Plate Manufacturing, and Film Sensitizing. He retired in 1986 as a Manufacturing Manager.
He made many, long lasting friends at Kodak, who all reiterate the same thing; he was a kind and fair boss to work for. His engineering mind made for quite the conversation as everything needed to be precise. It was never the left or right side of the road but east or west. "Never call a ship a boat, and never call a line a rope." This attention to detail made sure that he knew exactly which tool was missing off his work bench if you borrowed it, that every oil change was written in the book and every bolt had its size written in sharpie to expedite its removal at a later date. He was the model of efficiency.
Andy was a conservationist and longtime member of both Northstar Sportsman's Club and Lake Plains Waterfowl Association. His entire life was spent as an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing whenever the opportunity arose. Sometimes that chance only came when camping in the Thousand Islands with 8 or 9 children in tow during a week of nonstop rain, but he still enjoyed it. He passed his vast knowledge to his children who could all identify different duck breeds (even in flight) and cast a fishing rod before they could walk. He helped his grandsons get their first turkeys, band kestrels every year and built bluebird and wood duck boxes galore, dragging "willing" participants through swamps to install them all over the state. His lack of fingertips grew in number over the years as he refused to stop woodworking as he aged. His yard was a Golden Corral Buffet for songbirds.
While others took up golfing in retirement, Andy discovered an arch-nemesis in the common gray squirrel and made it his mission to remove any and all who dared attempt to feast at his bird feeders. To this day, there are still many with brightly colored tails over in the park, ensuring that no repeat offenders return. The DEC issuing a statement to not spray paint squirrels may or may not have been directed at him.
Andy dedicated himself to serving others. He was a founding member of St. Lawrence Church where he went every Sunday, stuffing the wooden Plymouth Fury station wagon full, with 75% of the attendants facing backwards, sitting on each other's laps.
He volunteered for over 15 years with the Greece Volunteer Ambulance, where he became a Retired Life Member. He also drove for the Red Cross for 10 years, continuing into his 80s, until 2016. His blood donations were not measured in pints, but by the gallon, as he donated every chance he could, well into his eighties.
Andy lived a full and blessed life. His message is to shed no tears, but share stories & laughs.
Andy's life story will be shared during visitation on Tuesday, July 22, from 3-7 pm at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane, 14626. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 23, at 10 am at St. Lawrence Church, 1000 N. Greece Rd., 14626. Memorial donations can be made in Andrew's name to Aquinas Institute: Andrew J. "AJ" Sperr Scholarship, 1127 Dewey Avenue, 14613 or to Troop E K-9 Fund, 1569 Rochester Road, Canandaigua, 14425-0220.
Public Viewing:
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home, Inc.
1411 Vintage Lane
Rochester, NY 14626
Mass:
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
10:00 am - 11:00 am
St. Lawrence Church
1000 N. Greece Rd.
Rochester, NY 14626