Augustus C. Sandmann, O.S.A.

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1921 – 2013 (November 17)

Augustus Christopher Sandmann was born on August 20, 1921, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the son of Augustus Sandmann and Marie Shannon. He had one brother, John, who preceded him in death. He was baptized at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church, Atlantic City, on September 9, 1927, and attended St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish School He entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, as a postulant in 1935, and was received into the Order as a novice on September 9, 1939, at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York. He professed simple vows on September 10, 1940, and then attended Villanova College until 1944, when he received his BA in Philosophy. He professed solemn vows on September 10, 1943, and, at Augustinian College, Washington, DC, completed theological studies in 1948. Augustus also pursued graduate studies at the Catholic University of America. He was ordained to the priesthood on September 8, 1947, at the Parish of St. Nicholas of Tolentine, Atlantic City.

Father Sandmann spent his ministry in various parishes of the Province. He began at St. Thomas of Villanova, Rosemont, Pennsylvania in 1948, and then was transferred in 1954 to St. Nicholas of Tolentine, Atlantic City. In 1957, he was assigned to Our Mother of Consolation Parish, Chestnut Hill, and in 1963, to St. Denis, Havertown. He returned in 1965 to St. Thomas of Villanova, and in 1968 to Atlantic City. In 1969 he was once again at Rosemont, and in 1971 was assigned to St. Nicholas of Tolentine, Bronx, N.Y. From 1978 until 2006 he was an associate at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Staten Island, New York. The longevity and continuity of his service in each of these parishes provided him with the opportunity to serve many generations of the same families.

Father Sandmann retired to St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery on November 1, 2006 and died early Sunday morning, November 17, 2013, in the Prospect Park Health & Rehabilitation Residence in Prospect Park, Pennsylvania. His funeral Mass was celebrated by Prior Provincial, Father Mickey Genovese, O.S.A., on Friday November 22, 2013 at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, Villanova. The homily was given by Fr. Robert Murray, O.S.A. Fr. Sandmann is buried at the family plot at Atlantic City Cemetery, Atlantic City, New Jersey.