Joseph DeWandler (“Denny” as he was known by family and friends) passed away in his home on July 24th 2026 after fighting a long battle against cancer. He left peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family. Denny was born on September 23, 1948 in Canandaigua New York, to Joseph and Catherine DeWandler.
Denny graduated from Canandaigua Academy in 1966 as class president before getting a bachelor’s degree in accounting from LeMoyne College before getting his CMA certification.
Denny’s career spanned working as Vice President and treasurer for Hickey Freeman, before becoming Chief Financial Officer of Harris Seeds Garden Trends. But what he mostly will be remembered for is the devotion he gave to his family being a supportive husband and a loving father.
He is survived by his wife Jane his sons Jeff and Evan, daughter in Law Maura and two grandsons Flynn and Lucian.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate his life on Thursday July 30th from 4-6pm at Keenans Funeral home 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport, NY 14450. Burial will be 10am on Friday July 31st at Mt Pleasant Cemetery with a luncheon afterwards.
In Lieu of flowers we are asking anyone who would like to donate to the American Cancer society, https://donate.cancer.org
28 responses to “DeWandler, Joseph D.”
A wonderful friend for over 70 years. He was caring and supportive of his friends his whole life.
He was and will always be my best friend.
Joe was a great friend and classmate since our St. Mary’s Parochial school days. A respected leader is why he was our Canandaigua Academy class of 1966 President. Always kept our classmates aware of what was happening with fellow classmates at all times. His leadership of our class mates will be missed. Our sincere condolences to his family.
I have fond memories of Joe from St. Mary’s, Canandaigua Academy CA66 and working night shifts at a local factory. We ran into each other much later in life and scheduled regular breakfasts with close friends and of course he was the leader of the pack keeping reunions going. I will miss him every day!
Joe and I grew up a mile apart, he up over the hill on Middle Cheshire Road and me down on the West Lake Road. Many summer month weekends we would meet halfway up the hill and have our breakfast cookouts, dragging bacon and eggs as well as old cast iron frying pans along. Building a fire and cooking was a real treat for a couple of country boys, memories we often talked about.
My sincere condolences go out to Joe’s entire family.
Well Joe we did a lot of emails this past year as I tried to help you locate people. Guess I wasn’t much help. Will miss seeing you next month. RIP Mr President
My deepest condolences to Joe’s family and his many friends. Joe was the best of men. May he rest in heavenly peace.
Heartfelt condolences to the Dewandler family. I will remember Joe AA being perpetually kind, helpful and ready to serve with a smile on his face. You always will be remembered to the class of 66. God bless.
Joe was not only a wonderful family man he was a deeply caring friend who was always there when you needed him. Joe was one of my closest friends and he helped me through some of the most difficult times in my life. Joe was one of the most intelligent people I ever knew and yet one of the humblest. He always took the time to listen to people and then offered advice that was for me life changing. Joe and I worked and played softball together while I was at Hickey Freeman, however after I left Hickey we ran Superbowl and NCAA basketball pools for the next 37 years. My life would not be what it is today if not for Joe. Res in Peace, my friend.
Joe is remembered by his grateful Class of ’66 for his 60+ years of kind and thoughtful service to us. My condolences to his family for their loss of a special husband, father and friend.
Joe was the man – the class of 66 man. No one could have represented our class better as exemplified by his steadfast determination to have us meet as often as practical and he possessed terrific communication skills. I will miss hearing from him.
Joe was a special person – very inclusive and caring. We lost a giant. RIP Joe!
Joe was a wonderful friend. We were especially close as we made the transition from St. Mary’s School to Canandaigua Academy.
He truly was a great class president. Due to his leadership we had, in my opinion, one of the most active Classes at CA.
It is obvious from the other comments here that he never changed and continued to be a great leader, father and husband. He will be missed.
Joe was an incredible leader and voice for the class of 1966. He was such a kind person and will definitely be missed by all his many friends. For those of us who live out of the area he helped keep us updated so we never felt far from Canandaigua.
My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones.
To the DeWandler family,
So sorry for your loss. I worked with Joe for all of his career at Harris Seeds, starting at Saginaw Dr to Paul Rd. He was a very kind man who you could go to for any financial questions. I loved when he would bring the Corgi’s for a visit. Also my brother Bob Knaak worked for Joe in finance for 20 years at Harris Seeds and he sends his condolences.
Again so sorry for your loss,
Debi Camardo (Seed Packaging Manager retired)
Joe was a great friend and classmate for over 60 years. My wife Karen and I enjoyed dinners with Joe and Jane and would always reminisce about the good times at CA and his service as CA66 President for Life.
We are better for knowing Joe and our prayers are with him.
We miss him.
I had the pleasure of working with Joe at Harris Seeds.
Joe was a special guy, so I will leave his own words here, from a farewell email upon his retirement from Harris Seeds, I hope all who knew Joe will take comfort, as I do:
“There have been a number of retirements in the recent past and there will be more in the near future. However, don’t let the ghosts that occasionally visit the building hold you back – wash them away with enthusiasm and spirit and embrace the future.” – J. DeWandler
Hail Fellow Well Met! Joe was an outstanding Class President of an extraordinary Class at Canandaigua Academy. Intelligent,Personable,and Faithful to His Friends..
In addition, a Great Communicator always in a very Caring Way..
Gone from sight,but never from our memory.
Denny was a wonderful man, kind and thoughtful, even as a child, when were happy to have him as a first cousin, and certainly as man, who was also thoughtful and generous with a fine sense of humor. Much love to Jane and the whole family
Grew up with Joe in grade school and basketball court. Great guy who loved the class of 66 and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace my friend
Death is not an enemy of this amazing man.
It is a friend who gently cuts the cord that binds the human boat to shore so that it may sail on smoother seas.
Sail on Denny… sail on ❤️
Joe was a great class president who painstakingly presided over several successful reunions over the years.
He was also a close friend. Pat and I had several wonderful dinners with Joe and Jane, since he and Pat shared birthdays.
Our 60th class reunion won’t feel the same without Joe DeWandler.
Denny was a big part of my early life. He lived just down the road and we often played together. He was my first friend and I will miss him. My condolences to his family.
Knowing someone for 70 plus years as a classmate,friend, teammate, class president, the glue that kept us all together for all these years and now he’s gone is difficult to accept. You will be dearly missed Joe. Rest in peace my friend.
we are so sorry for your loss. Your dad was a great man.
I was a classmate of Joe’s, but I did not know him like so many of you did.
I do remember how friendly, sincere, and kind he was, always thinking of everyone as a friend. To Jane and the two boys, He was a very Special Man who you will carry in your hearts. He is still watching over you and will be there always
I had the honor and a privilege of being class officer with Joe. Joe was a joy to work with, extremely supportive and always there for everyone. He was a friend through St. Mary’s and CA. He was always humble and unassuming.
He was a true gentleman. Many blessings to his family and may they find peace in is his legacy. Joe, may the angels welcome you into the light and grace of heaven which you so deserve.
Joe went out of his way to be kind and helpful. When we worked on the 40th reunion, and he found out I was a gardener, he went out of his way to bring me a big box of leftover seeds from Harris Seeds every year until he retired. It was a privilege to know him, and I’ll miss him.
Denny was a great neighbor . He took such good care of our house while we were away in the winter. He was a kind and generous man. He will be missed.