James W. Sandy Jr.

James W. “Duke” Sandy Jr., 93, of Niles, passed away on Sunday February 1, 2026 at Mercy Health St. Joseph’s Warren Hospital.

He was born June 3 1932 in Warren the son of James W. and Elizabeth Scarnecchia Sandy Sr.

Duke was a 1950 graduate of Niles McKinley High School and was employed by Wade Rose Construction, General Structures, Valley Consolidated, and owned and operated Total Resources.

He was a member of Saint Pope John XXIII Parish-Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Niles, church usher, Niles Frontliners, and avid sports fan especially of The Pittsburgh Steelers.

He was a United States Army veteran of The Korean War.

He will be deeply missed by his wife Jilda Marie Celedonia Sandy whom he married November 25, 1954, three children, Jan Berkowitz and her husband Samuel of Hubbard, Carol Thomas and her husband Gerald of Niles, and James Sandy and his wife Sandy of Raleigh, North Carolina, three grandchildren, Lauren Fife and her husband Jon, Natalie Wilson and her husband Dan, and Jeff Thomas and his wife Jen, and four great-grandchildren, Emmett and Oliver Fife, Cecelia “Cece” Wilson, and Chloe Thomas.

Friends may call Thursday from 9AM to 11AM Thursday at The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:30AM Thursday at Saint Pope John XXIII Parish-Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Niles, preceded by a 11AM prayer service at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Niles City Cemetery where Duke will be honored for his military services by The VFW 9571 Ellsworth Honor Guard.

Contributions can be sent to The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis Tennessee, 38105.

Arrangements handled by The Joseph Rossi And Sons Funeral Home in Niles.