John P. Sachs, 86, WWII Vet, Fairfield University Trustee

[Editor’s Note: The following obituary information, as well as a digital guest book, is provided by Hoyt Funeral Home in the New Canaan business’s obituaries section.]

John P. (Hans-Peter) Sachs, 86, of Wilton, formerly of New Canaan and Stamford, died peacefully Wednesday, February 20, 2013, in his apartment at the Greens at Cannondale.

He was surrounded by the love and prayers of his children and grandchildren. His wife, Mary Kay, died on October 21, 2011.

Born in Düsseldorf, Germany on March 10, 1926, he was the son of the late Serge Saxe and Frances Hessler. After childhood years there, in Berlin, and Hilterfingen, Switzerland, he came to the United States, where he served in the Army during WWII.

After completing a doctorate in chemical engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology, he held executive positions in several firms in the chemical, polymer, and graphite industries including Union Carbide and Great Lakes Carbon, which he led as President and CEO.

He served on numerous boards in business and professional societies, including the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, in which he served as President in 1985. He was a member of the American Chemical Society and a major supporter of the Chemists Club (New York) and served on the Advisory Board of the Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department at Illinois Institute of Technology.

He served on the Board of Trustees of Fairfield University from 1980-92, where he and his wife, Mary Kay, supported the campus ministry and established a scholarship fund for nursing students, and from which he received an honorary Doctor of Science degree.

A life-long supporter of the schools and missions of the Society of Jesus, he received the Kolvenbach Award from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (Cambridge, MA). More importantly to him and to us, he was a wise and loving husband and father. He and our mother, Mary Kay, filled our home and our hearts with a love and joy that touched many, many people.

He is survived by his children, Rev. John R. Sachs, SJ, of Boston, Kathryn Conway of Westhampton Beach, NY, Susan F. Sachs of San Francisco, and Christopher H. Sachs of New Canaan; and by his five grandchildren, Matthew Sachs, Tim Sachs, Jenna Sachs, Claire Sachs and Colette Sachs.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 26th at St. Aloysius Church, New Canaan, at 1 pm. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery.

There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers please consider supporting the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, 1852 W. 22nd Place, Chicago, IL 60608 (cristorey.net).