Canisius Mourns the Loss of Joseph T. Sandman

Canisius University lost a dear friend on Sunday, July 29, when Joseph T. Sandman ’43, MA ’48, HON ’86, emeritus professor of English, passed away. He was 89.

Joseph Sandman began his teaching career in the Buffalo Public Schools and at Canisius High School. He taught in the Canisius University English Department from 1946 through 1993.

“Joe was an erudite, witty and deeply caring professor of English, whose breadth of knowledge of literature and the English language was matched only by his concern for his students,” says Canisius President John J. Hurley. “We are saddened by his passing but grateful for his long and devoted service to Canisius and its students.” 

Joe spent nearly a half century in the Canisius classroom. He taught classes on the history of the English language and American literature, even opera for short time, but Joe is most remembered for his scholarly interests in William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. 

“He was just a wonderful man with whom to work,” adds Richard J. Thompson ’53, PhD, emeritus professor of English. “Joe was a learned man who had a beautiful speaking voice and reading skills. I imagine he impressed a lot of people, in his 47 years at Canisius, who will be saddened by his loss.” 

Joe graduated from St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, and earned bachelor and master degrees in English from Canisius University in 1943 and 1948, respectively. He was awarded an honorary degree from the college in 1986.

A wake for Joseph T. Sandman will be held tonight, Wednesday, August 1, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Dietrich Funeral Home, located at 2480 Kensington Avenue in Amherst. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 2, at St. Michael’s RC Church, located at 651 Washington Street in Buffalo.

The son of the late Frank X. and Madeline (Six) Sandman, and brother of the late Anthony Sandman, Joe is survived by cousin