Sanford S. Feller passed away at Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021.
Born on Sept. 11, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York, he was raised, educated and worked in the Bronx. He attended City College of NY. In January 1953 to December 1954, he served in the Army during the Korean Conflict.
After his service, he worked at Mott Haven Truck Parts from 1955 to 1966. He founded his own company in 1966; the product line was manufacture and distribution of truck winches and related items. He moved his operation to Spring Valley and later Sloatsburg, New York.
During a return trip from a tow show convention, he and his wife stopped in St. Marys. The ferry trip was rained out and Mr. Feller spoke with the people at the Georgia Power Company along the waterfront. He made the decision to move to St. Marys in 1994. He relocated his business and operated it there until 2018. His wife of nearly 35 years, Marianne Feller, joined him in January of 1996.
Sandy’s mother and father, Charles and Edith Feller, preceded him in death as well as his sister, Ruth Feller, and his daughter, Susan Gayle Feller. His son Jeffrey Martin Feller lives in Weehawken, New Jersey. His stepsons are Christopher DiSalvio (Michele) of Mill Valley, California, and grandsons Dylan and Ethan DiSalvio, Paul DiSalvio (Debbe) of Beacon, New York, and grandchildren, Matthew and Nikki Lee DiSalvio, and Gregory DiSalvio (Caryn) of Pomona, New York. A brother-in-law, Louis Guisto resides in Cary, North Carolina, and a sister-in-law, Roseanne Guisto in Charleston, South Carolina, along with his niece, Robin Guisto Sanders (Michael). There are many nieces and nephews who enjoyed his company and his wisdom.
Always a civic activist, he started his community service in the Bronx. Sandy was a former chancellor commander, Concordia Lodge, Knights of Pythias, former executive member of Rockland County Organized Taxpayers Association, board member of Rockland County Tenants Rights Association, member of the 1975 and 1977 East Ramapo Budget Advisory and a trustee of the 1977 to 1980 East Ramapo School Board. He was welcomed into the Hasidic community in Spring Valley and promoted some open discussions about issues in the neighborhoods.
One of his passions was to require seat belts on student buses and he stayed dedicated to the cause of student transportation safety for a long time. Additionally, he was elected new president of the Organized Taxpayers Association. He was motivated to change things and he said, “It has been a trifle too partisan and politically involved.” He was a candidate for mayor of Spring Valley in 1981.
While in Camden County he was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Rotary Club, American Legion in Kingsland and Republican Club. His son, Jeffrey, said about his dad that “he always had an audible opinion.” In 2002, Sanford Feller was duly elected as county commissioner in District 4. He served from Jan. 1, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2007. Mr. Feller stayed interested in politics in the County by writing letters, attending meetings and speaking to people wherever he met them. He had many friends and acquaintances because of his outgoing nature and his interest in whatever was going around. This contact was facilitated over many cups of coffee wherever people gathered. Sandy will be missed by his family and his many friends.
A visitation will be held 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, at Allison Memorial Chapel.
Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.