Berlin – Wesley Edmund Sandberg, Jr. (known as Wes), 76, of Luther Forest in Malta, NY, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, July 5, 2014. Wes was born on August 28, 1937, in the Bronx, NY, and was the son of the late Wesley E. and Dorothy Beckerith Sandberg. He grew up in Berlin, NY, attended the Crane School of Music and was a graduate of SUNY Potsdam earning his teaching degree in music. Wesley had been a music teacher for close to 30 years, first with the Shenendehowa Central School District and later with the Waterford Halfmoon Union Free School District from February 1, 1971, until he retired on June 30, 1993.
As a teacher, Wes shared his love and appreciation of music and theater with his students; he had high expectations of them and left lasting impressions on many. Like his father, Wes was gifted in the woodworking craft, creating intricate decorative boxes, cabinets and furniture. He was not one to read a manual and could fix anything; he always knew how to make it better or stronger. He was a perfectionist in all he did and worked tirelessly until he got it just right. He was always whistling, always had a piano to play and sang in a variety of local choral groups. He was an avid art, music and ballet enthusiast. Although he was a man who kept mostly to himself, those who knew him recognized Wes as a very special, unique and passionate man with exceptional sensitivity, wisdom and a hearty, loud laugh. Wes, also named “Poppy” by his only grandson Nicholas, was everything and more a grandfather and father should be, including a best friend.
Wesley is the husband of Marilyn Seidelmann Sandberg of Malta and was always there for her, the father of Lisa and husband David Hodgkinson of Scotia, NY, the brother of Doris Reichelt of Berlin and the late Caryl Sandberg, the uncle of Tammy Reichelt and Greg Goodermote and the grandfather of Nicholas Allen Hodgkinson of Scotia, Poppy’s inspiration and favorite.
Services will be held at the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 Route 9, Clifton Park, NY, on Saturday, July 19, promptly at 10 am.
Immediately following the services, interment will be held for the family in the Jonesville Cemetery, A Victorian Resting Place For All. Flowers for the service are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, NY, 12205.
