The "Voice of the Valley" signed off for the last time on December 28, 2016. Born in Philadelphia, PA on April 18, 1925, John "Jack" Thomas Sandstrom of Hermitage enjoyed life for 91 years.
Growing up, he loved to sing, tell stories and go to "the shore" with his family. After graduating from Frankford High School in 1943, he joined the U.S. Army and served in Patton's 3rd Army during WWII -- becoming one of our country's "greatest generation." He returned to Philadelphia to work, travel, improve his golf game and play the horses. He graduated from Neff College with a radio broadcasting degree in 1953, and took his first job at WADP -- a 500 watt radio station in Kane, PA.
Here he met the love of his life -- Ann Tingwall. Ann had three children, and on April 13, 1957 Jack became Ann's husband and a dad. The family moved to Sharpsville, PA and had two children.
Jack had a long and exciting career at WPIC, Shenango Valley Cable, two Fayette County cable companies, WBGU/WBGZ and WMGZ before retiring in 1993. He was also a proud member of VFW Post 6166 and American Legion Post 0299.
Jack was an avid reader; he studied the stock market, but never made a killing; he sang at least one song every day; took the scenic route every chance he could; and loved his wife and family with his very large, gentle and loving heart.
Jack's joys were his wife Ann, his son Michael McKenna (Linda), his daughters, Debra Double, Carol Wallace McKay (John), Julie Spaulding (Chris), Jamie Jerdan (Wayne), and his sister Dorothy Lynch (John). He had seven grandchildren -- Jonathan Daugherty, Marcy Fisher, Kurt, Michael and Kelsey McKenna, Steven Wallace and Alexander Spaulding; 15 great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; ten nieces and nephews; and multiple dear friends.
His losses were his parents Arthur and Helen Sandstrom, his brother and sister-in-law Arthur and Eleanor Sandstrom, an infant daughter Jennifer, his grandson KIA Sgt. David Wallace III, and sadly many more.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Community Library of the Shenango Valley, 11 N. Sharpsville Ave., Sharon, PA; Community Foundation of Western PA & Eastern OH, Sgt. David W. Wallace III Scholarship, 7 W. State Street, Ste. 301, Sharon, PA; or Mooseheart Charities, 155 S. International Dr., Mooseheart, IL 60539.
Visitation and funeral services are being held privately, with his son, Michael McKenna and nephew, Eric Youngquist, officiating. Online condolences may be sent to the family at
www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com
Burial and military honors to follow in America's Cemetery, Hermitage.
Arrangements by J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.
