Eric William SANDLE, 82, of Wellsville, NY, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, June 28, 2025 after a courageous and gracefully-fought battle with lung cancer. He was born on May 30, 1943 in Camberwell, London, England, and was the youngest son of the late Joseph Alfred and Violet Ivy (Smith) Sandle. After leaving his fancy, new comprehensive school at 16, Eric worked at The Morgan Crucible Company in Battersea, where he did a 5 year apprenticeship to qualify as a Tool Maker Machinist. During his apprenticeship, Eric continued his engineering education by attending Borough Polytechnic Institute – taking advantage of a day release program and taking evening classes. In the early 1960s, Eric got a job in Staplehurst, Kent, at a diamond tool company, where he was encouraged to investigate potential employment in Canada. Therefore, Eric immigrated to Canada in 1965-66 and quickly landed a job at General Motors Canada in St. Catharines, Ontario, where he worked on a robot machine development program using fluidics. In 1974, Eric got his U.S. green card and went to work with his brother at CentriTech Company in Texas. In 1985, Eric moved to Wellsville, NY and opened Sandle Custom Bearing Corporation, where he was the President for the past 40 years.
Eric was a life-long car enthusiast and a skilled woodworker. He would often be found tinkering in his woodshop or working on one of his many cars in his car garage. Over the years, he built many cherished wooden toys, games and other items for his children, grandchildren and extended family. He also restored numerous antiques and cars.
Eric loved his home and loved riding around on one of his many toys (especially his excavator, Dumpy or Big Blue) tending to his trails, fields, streams and ponds. He traveled often with his family and many great vacation memories were made over the years. He also traveled often with friends to many antique tool auctions, auto auctions and Rolls Royce Owner’s meetings. Eric was the smartest, funniest, kindest, and most compassionate and generous man and will be greatly missed.
Eric was preceded in death on September 23, 2017 by his beloved wife, Diana Cline Sandle, whom he married on January 7, 1988. Eric is survived by two daughters, Tracey Loughlin-Young and her husband Troy Young of Charlotte, NC and Heather (Loughlin) Pettit and her husband Joseph of Wilton, CT; three grandchildren, Owen Pettit, Avery Pettit and Noah Loughlin-Young; one brother, Joseph Alan Sandle and his wife Iris Alicia (Williams) of Kyle, TX; a special niece, Lisa Lindsay and her husband Michael of Wellsville, NY; as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and great friends who will miss him dearly.
Eric’s family would like to thank everyone who rallied around to help and support Eric this past year. Your friendship, love, kindness and generosity mean the world to us and we are so grateful for all your help.
Friends are invited to call on Monday, July 7, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at J. W. Embser Funeral Home, 34 West State Street, Wellsville, NY 14895. A service to celebrate Eric’s life will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 11:00 am in the funeral home with a reception to follow at 2 Sisters and A Smoker and all are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Eric’s name may be made to the David A. Howe Public Library, Jones Memorial Hospital (Wilmot Cancer Center) or Whitesville Rod and Gun Club. To leave a personal online condolence or remembrance, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.
