Allan E. Gandler

Allan Edward Gandler, 89, formerly of Albany and Clifton Park passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Clermont, Florida.  He was surrounded by loving family.

Allan is preceded in death by his sister Carol Gandler and his brother Bernard “Bud” Gandler.  He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 57 years, Cheryl “Sherry” Gandler.  Allan is survived by his son Mark and daughter-in-law Marisa, his son Todd and daughter-in-law Teresa, and his son Eric and fiancée Anya — plus grandchildren Evan, Molly, Lucy, Alva, Samuel, and Luca.

Son of the late Miriam Agins Gandler and Joseph L. Gandler, Allan was born December 7th, 1936 and was raised among adoring cousins, where he was especially nurtured by his mother and his aunt, Sophie Liepshutz. He was a graduate of Albany High School (’55) and Siena College (’59) from which he earned his bachelors in business administration (BBA) in accounting.  Allan served as a lieutenant in the US Army, chiefly at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, after which he set sales records at IBM until starting law school. He graduated from Albany Law School (LLD) in 1965, then practiced in Albany as a partner in the firm of Long & Gandler for a decade and eventually as a sole practitioner thereafter. Throughout his life, Allan remained acutely aware that his education and success would never have been possible, but for Siena College’s strong support of a young man with great promise.

Humble and hardworking (and funny) Allan became known as a meticulous apartment building owner and manager of hundreds of apartments in the Capital Region, especially the Willett Apartments overlooking Washington Park in Albany.  A ski patrolman for many years, and a founder of the OC Ski Club, Allan remained particularly good at helping people whenever they fell down. Allan & Sherry helped to create Temple Beth Shalom in Clifton Park in the 1970’s, always hoping to leave their community a bit better than when they’d arrived. Allan & Sherry retired and moved to central Florida in 2005, where they added a vast new group of southern friends to the ones they always loved visiting up north.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, February 10th at Levine Memorial Chapel, 649 Washington Ave, Albany, NY at 10:30am.  A short private burial for immediate family will follow, and a luncheon to celebrate what Allan called “a very, very good life” will be announced. 

An additional celebration of Allan’s life will be scheduled in due course for Allan & Sherry’s many dear friends located in Florida as well.

For anyone wishing to make a contribution in Allan’s honor, his favorite charities include the Double H Ranch (Lake Luzerne, NY), Tunnels to Towers, and his beloved Siena College.

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