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BORN
1927
DIED
2015
FUNERAL HOME
Joseph Sandora Obituary
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 Feb. 6, 1990. He then married Helen Collins in 2003 and she survives him.
Joe was a World War II veteran of the U.S. 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; three grandchildren, Michael Palmer, Joseph Vera and Anita Vondesaar; and five 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 will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, at the Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St., Groton. Graveside services with military honors will be at 11 a.m. Monday, at the Starr Burial Ground on Lestertown Road in Groton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Center for Hospice Care, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360 or to the CT Humane Society, 169 Old Colchester Road, Quaker Hill, CT 06375.
Please visit www.byles.com to sign the guest book or share a memory.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Sandora
Sponsored by Byles-Groton Memorial Home - Groton.
Don Deane
December 6, 2022
Rest in Peace Joe still missed
Carmen White
December 7, 2021
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, this Christmas will be very difficult, and I'll be thinking about her on her December 20th birthday. Until we all meet again....I Love You All the
Richard & Lucille McGee
December 15, 2015
A great gentleman and a good skeeting partner. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Sandora family.
December 15, 2015
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
Dean Middleton
December 15, 2015
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 quickly piled into a vehicle, and raced to the hospital. Grandpa was admitted into the emergency room, where he soon went into surgery, and died only a few days later of cancer. It was the last time I saw my Grandfather.
On the eve of bringing him to the emergency room, Joe came by to offer his support to us. It was such a stressful time for my mother and uncle and I, having just lost their mother, and my grandmother, only a month or two before.
This was the first and only time I met Joe Sandora. Mom introduced me to him, and we exchanged a few words. But, that was not all. He stayed, as I remember, for some time in the uncomfortable setting of an emergency waiting room, and after he finally did leave, I remember Mom speaking very highly of him, and how much it meant to her for him to have come by.
I will always remember that night, and the kindness and compassion of a true gentleman. Sometimes it is the seemingly little things that can be so helpful, and mean so much. It meant a lot to my mother and I, then and now, and taught me something words cannot.
In loving memory-
John Gill
December 14, 2015
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
Carmen White
December 13, 2015
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 and Dad Sandora were always so welcoming, especially to all the Sailors the two of us would bring home for meals. They even fed "my" boyfriend for 3 week while I was away with my parents. Joe was stern, that was from being a Cop so long....but he was always fair. Joe always had his eye on them though. He told us, "I was a Sailor once, I know what's on their minds". He was just so awesome, I loved him so much.
I have so many memories rushing through my mind, I don't even know what to say next. All I know is that when I think of them, I always smile or laugh. I was blessed to know and be part of his family. I love you!! I know in my heart we will all be together once again. Heaven just got a little bit brighter.
Joe when you see my Mom and Dad, tell them I miss them so much still and, that I think of them constantly.
Rest in Peace Joe, give Mary a kiss for me.
December 13, 2015
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
Carl Johnson
December 13, 2015
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.
Charlene Reid Pease
December 13, 2015
I worked for Joe at the PD and he became one of the best bosses that I have ever had. My condolences to his family.
David White
December 13, 2015
Condolences to the Sandora family.
Victor Peropat
December 13, 2015
May you rest in peace. Great friend,
Great person.
Brian Giesing
December 13, 2015
My condolences to the Sandora family. May good memories carry you through. I remember Joe as a good, decent man. May he rest in eternal peace.
Donald Deane
December 13, 2015
Rest in peace Joe you were one of the nicest people I ever new All my condolences to the Sandora family.
Lynn Miner
December 12, 2015
Sincere condolences. So many memories.
Rest in peace Joe.
Ed Artale
December 12, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with you all, Joe was like a father to me growing up. It was a special time being with him, hunting rabbits on Fisher's Island. going off to shooting matches, the 4th of July picnics, ball games and fireworks at Washington Park. Joe was compassionate, and someone I always looked up to. A man's man, an example of what a "cop" should be, I have such fond memories, I could go on and on. God bless.
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