Obituary of Sandro A. Brandolino
Sandro Albert “Sandy” Brandolino, age 94, of Crest Hill, passed away peacefully December 2, 2023, with his loving family by his side.
He was born November 7, 1929 in Caramanico Terme, Italy, where he resided until moving at age 11 with his family to the United States, Joliet, IL. Sandy was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather affectionately known by his family as “Papa Sandro.”
Sandy was a proud graduate from the Joliet Public Schools, Joliet Township Central High School and Joliet Junior College. After graduating college, Sandy joined the United States Air Force and the United States Air Force Reserves, where he served proudly in the percussion section as a member of the U.S. Air Force Band.
He met the love of his life, Helen (nee Liberatore) Brandolino at an ice cream social at St. Anthony Church in Joliet, where Sandy had received his studies in Catholicism by the Mantellate Sisters Order. Sandy and Helen were happily married for 64 years before she preceded him in eternal life on January 16, 2015.
Sandy was employed by EJ&E Railroad for more than 20 years before retiring to pursue his true dream of owning and operating his own music store. For more than 37 years, Sandy and Helen were the proud proprietors of "Brandolino’s Westside Music Center" on Jefferson Street in Joliet, IL.
Sandy shared his musical talents with thousands of percussion students through music lessons as well as the public by performing in the American Legion, JJC Swing, Versatones and The Sandy Brandolino bands. After retirement from the music store, he continued to repair countless band instruments. Sandy loved jazz, watching his students perform, and attending jazz performances throughout the area. In addition to his love of his family and music, Sandy loved gardening, yardwork, attending daily mass, reciting the Rosary and sharing his deep Catholic faith.
Sandy holds a U.S. Patent for inventing the “Bomber Beater,” a bass drum beater used by many musicians worldwide including the Grateful Dead and Styx. He also invented a grease for the air brakes on locomotives. Sandy is a lifetime member of the American Federation of Musicians and the Joliet Federation of Musicians Union Local 37.
Sandy is survived by his children, David Brandolino, Toni Ann Brandolino, Marianne (Steve) Nuetzmann, Diane Brandolino and Jackie (John) Costenaro; his grandchildren, Bobby (Karole) Brandolino, Jim (Lauren) McFarland, Katie (Keith) Anderson, Ellen "Fleming" Roesel, Emily Fleming; great-grandchildren, Gianni and Eliana Brandolino, Cole and Will Anderson, Quinn and Emersyn McFarland, and Noah and Andrew Roesel; nephews, Gil (Paulette) DiGiannantonio, Albert (Julie) DiGiannantonio, James (Darlene) LoCascio; and nieces, Terrie (Michael) Rydzon and Sandy (Bob) McPherson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Francesca (nee Paolucci) Brandolino; two sisters, Mary DiGiannantonio and Lucille LoCascio; his brother, Guido Brandolino; nephew, Robert (Marilyn) DiGiannantonio; his wife’s parents, Anthony and Concetta "MaMa" Liberatore; and brother-in-law, John Liberatore.
Visitation for Sandy Brandolino will be held Tuesday, December 5, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet. Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 9:00 a.m., from the funeral home to the Church of St. Jude, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville, where military rites will be accorded by the United States Air Force.
Memorials in his name to Cornerstone Services (www.cornerstoneservices.org) would be appreciated.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500, or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
