Edgar A. Sandman

Edgar A. Sandman, of Needham, MA, formerly of Naples, FL, Harrison NY and Albany, NY, died on July 13 in Needham at the age of 96. Born in Albany on October 19, 1919, he was the son of the late Edgar A. Sandman and Miriam Sill Sandman Hearley, and the step-son of the late William S. Hearley, Sr. He attended Miss Quinn’s School and graduated from Vincentian Institute, where he met his future wife of 64 years, Margaret Dugan Sandman, now deceased. He received his B.A. from Union College and following his second year at Albany Law School, he entered the U.S. Army Air Forces, serving in the 3rd Emergency Rescue Squadron in the South Pacific during World War II. Upon his return to Albany, he completed his final year at Albany Law School, earning a J.D. In 1946, he began a 35-year career in banking, 25 of those years at the First Trust Company of Albany. During this period, he progressed from his first position in the discount department to his appointment as president of the bank in 1968. In 1971, he and his wife moved to Harrison, NY when he accepted a position in New York City as senior vice president of Bankers Trust New York Corporation. He subsequently became executive vice president of Bankers Trust Company, a position he held until his retirement in 1981. During his tenure at Bankers Trust, he served as a director of Bankers Trust of Albany, Bankers Trust of Rochester and Bankers Trust of Western New York. He and his wife returned to Albany from 1982 until 1994, and from 1995-2010 lived in Naples, FL. He moved to Needham following his wife’s death in 2010. He was exceptionally active in community affairs, fund raising and charitable activities, serving as a trustee or director of the College of Saint Rose, Albany Medical College, Albany Savings Bank, Albany Chamber of Commerce, Albany Symphony Orchestra, St. Gregory’s School, the Mohawk-Hudson Community Foundation, the Albany Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Council of Community Services. He also served as the state chairman for the Foundation for Commercial Banks. A member of the Knights of Malta, he was a trustee of Catholic Charities of the Albany Diocese; of St. Peter’s Hospital, where he was named the first lay president of the Board; and the Mercycare Corporation. In 1991, he was awarded the first Mercy Award of Distinction by the Mercycare Corporation. He was also an active member of the Albany Diocesan Finance Council and the Diocesan Investment Committee. Governor Nelson Rockefeller appointed him to the New York Board of Social Welfare. In 1984, Governor Mario Cuomo appointed him to the board of trustees of the State University of New York, a position he held until 1989; he also served as a trustee of the State University of New York Research Foundation. In Harrison, NY, he was appointed President of the United Way. He and his wife were the first co-chairs of the Parents Association of Boston College. His most extensive commitment focused on Albany Law School. A member of the board of trustees for 24 years, he chaired the board from 1986-1990 and was awarded the Trustees Gold Medal in 1986 and an honorary doctorate in 1991; he was a Trustee Emeritus from 1990 until the time of his death. No recounting of his life’s accomplishments would be complete without noting the significant role of his wife, Margaret, a strong and brilliant woman. Her influence on every aspect of his life was profound, and the partnership of equals they forged was characterized by their respect for and deep devotion to one another. Their combined efforts to sustain and improve the lives of their family, friends and community was their greatest legacy. Mr. Sandman is survived by his children, Paul W. (Mary Elizabeth) of Wellesley Hills, MA; Nancy M. of Needham, MA; James J. (Elizabeth D. Mullin) of Washington DC; Jean S. Manthorne (A. William) of Windham, NH; and John M. (Barbara E. Jones) of Delhi, NY. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Katherine S. McKinley of Waban, Mass.; Margaret M. Ingimundarson of Reykjavik, Iceland; William A. Sandman of San Francisco, CA; Alison S. Rush of Boston, MA and Christopher J. Rush of Boston, MA; Joseph M. Sandman of Washington, DC and Elizabeth D. Sandman of Los Angeles, CA; Debra M. Giddings of Andover, MA; William L. Manthorne of Byfield, MA; Benjamin C. Sandman of Corvallis, OR and six great-grandchildren, Jack S. and Conor M. McKinley, Mary L. Ingimundarson and Rósa K. Arnbjarnardöttir, Christopher S. Giddings and Lila J. Manthorne. He was pre-deceased by his brother, William S. Hearley, Jr. The family would like to express its gratitude to Mr. Sandman's caregivers at North Hill and extends special thanks to his friends at The Center Café in Needham, MA, who treated him with endless kindness and love. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Mr. Sandman’s family Tuesday, July 19, 2016 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany. Funeral services Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 10:00 am in the McVeigh Funeral Home, Albany thence to Blessed Sacrament Church, Albany at 10:30 am where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated. The Rite of Interment will be held at St. Agnes Cemetery immediately following the Mass. To leave a message for the family, light a candle, obtain directions or view other helpful services please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Edgar A. and Margaret Dugan Sandman Fellowship Program, Albany Law School, 80 New Scotland Avenue Western, Albany, NY 12208.

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Edgar A. Sandman

October 19, 1919 - July 13, 2016