Siegfried Emil Sperber, age 95, of Canandaigua,, passed of natural causes on June 1, 2023.

He was born on March 17, 1928 in Lithuania to Hulda and Adolf Sperber.  The oldest of five siblings.  The family was uprooted repeatedly by the events of World War II, and  Siegfried was separated from the family.  Through a series of chance events he found himself working on a farm in the village of Geroldshausen, Germany (near Wurzburg) where he met Elisabeth Heinrich in 1948 and fell in love.  The couple were married in 1950.

The family immigrated to America in 1953.  They settled with the extended family in Buffalo, New York.  Siegfried eventually found work as a warehouse laborer for a grocery distributor and spent over 50 years in the industry.

Siegfried enjoyed life-long close friendships with Walter and Heidi Lutz and with Arnold and Wilma Reinhardt.  The families often spending holidays and vacationing together.

A devout Lutheran, Siegfried was active in the churches he attended as an usher.  He also began most days reading the Bible, often while sitting in a corner of his garden. He enjoyed woodworking, building things of his own design.  He learned to repair watches and clocks from an uncle and loved tinkering and fixing things.  He also loved gardening and worked tirelessly on home improvements.  He also loved music and was self-taught on accordion and organ.

Siegfried was a man of great integrity, humility and humor.  He was cheerful and friendly toward everyone he met.  He valued family above all else, helping wherever help was needed.  He was fun, always playful with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  In short, he was loved by many.

Siegfried is survived by his wife of 72 years, Elisabeth, and his sons, Karl (Karis) and Roland (Tracy); his Grandchildren Marybeth, Matthew, Joshua, Adam, Eric and Karin; Great Grandchildren Peneolope, Freya, Conor, Benjamin and Oliver; and his sister, Hilda; and cousin Sigrid.  He is predeceased by brothers, Bruno, Alfred, and Dieter, and by cousin Edith Pollak (Joe Pollak).

A Graveside Ceremony will take place at burial on June 9, 2023 at 11:30 am at St. John Cemetery in Cheektowaga NY.  Gathering for lunch afterward. (details to follow).  A  Celebration of Life will be planned for the near future.

Donations in remembrance of Siegfried should be made to Hospice of Central New York and the Fingerlakes, 990 7^th North Street, Liverpool, NY 13088.