Andrew Michael Sandler, the young, baritone civil servant who poured his life to civil service, died on Aug. 5 from a monthslong battle with cancer. He was 31. His passing came three weeks after resigning as district manager for local Community Board 7, serving the northwest Bronx board for a year and a half.
“He was one of the rare ones who selflessly just wanted to help people,” said Stephanie Sandler, Andrew’s sister, who confirmed his death to the Norwood News.
Sandler was born on May 8, 1986 to parents Sandra and the late Albert Sandler, living his entire life in the Bronx. He attended Manhattan College in 2004, with ambitions working for government, even as dreams of being a comedian or filmmaker lurked within his periphery. He ultimately graduated with honors in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and government.
After interning at Congressman Eliot Engel’s office, Sandler found work as director of community affairs for then Councilman Oliver Koppell, representing the 11th Council District. His expertise in handling landlord-tenant cases, transportation issues and other quality of life matters helped Sandler remain in that post when Koppell’s successor, Councilman Andrew Cohen, took the helm representing the Norwood district.
“When he set his sights on taking on a problem, he was relentless,” Cohen told the Norwood News. “There’s no doubt he left the world a better place than when he found it.”
Between his community involvement and background in responding to citizen complaints in the northwest Bronx, Sandler’s transition as district manager for Community Board 7 appeared natural. Sandler maintained he had no political aspirations–the role of working behind the scenes appealed to him best.
Sandler was hired by Community Board 7 in January 2016. As most district manager job duties go, Sandler served as the go-between for city government and constituents. He kept a large presence within the board’s neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge Heights, Fordham, and University Heights.
“We’ve been working together already and he hasn’t been on payroll,” Adaline Walker-Santiago, chair of Community Board 7, said in an interview with the Norwood News in January 2016.
In January 2017, Sandler took medical leave. He vowed to return to work, doing so on a part-time basis in June 2017. His condition soon gave away, having relied on a home health aide while working at the office. Sandler ultimately resigned from his job.
Funeral services for Sandler take place on Aug. 7 at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home. Sandler is survived by his mother, sister, sister-in-law of Elizabeth Kountzman, aunt Yvette Sandler and uncle Ronald Wallach.
admin
Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.
English
Arabic
Bengali
Chinese (Simplified)
French
Spanish
This is truly a sad turn of events. May God bless his family & comfort them during this difficult time. Rest in peace Andrew. 🙏🏽
Great community builder. He will be missed.
Thanks for all your advice on housing.
I. Cant believe you were ill when you were helping us so passionatly.rest in piece.
Yes, Andrew was truly a dedicated public servant and a kind and generous person. He will be missed.
I knew Andrew since his days with CM Koppel; the consummate public servant, he possessed vigor and idealism when righting a wrong. He will be sorely missed in the borough he loved! Rest in peace my friend.
community lost a great friend my condolence to his family
Rest in peace my friend. You left this world a better place. Thank you for your friendship! I’ll never forget the sincerity in all your actions concerning others. You were truly a man among men.
Very sorry to hear this. Andrew was a dedicated public servant and a really nice guy. Very sad news.
Andrew Sandler was indeed a gracious man who worked with every ounce of strength for Community District 7. I am saddened that the complications of his work life would be highlighted in this article at the time of his death. Not only are the details inaccurate, but they do not reflect Andrew’s ability to work with over 30 members of the community board, a feat that for every member of the board involves multiple communications and miscommunications. He was fearless in working with all of us, and fearless in trying to return to work despite his illness. In this regard no one was more of an advocate for Andrew than Adaline Walker-Santiago. Let us remember the good life and many successes of Andrew Sandler, young and gone from us before his time.
Andrew Sandler, was a great fighter, you took on one of the toughest fight CB7 is a very challenging community but you took on challenged and did a great job. Andrew sad to say good but we meet again. R I P.
A young man lost his life to a horrible disease. He fought for the people of the Bronx. I find it completely unnecessary that any personal conflict with another co-worker or his probation was even mentioned in this article.
He was an unsung hero, the kind whose daily presence in our lives protects and preserves the best of our community, in thousands of small but powerful acts. I will miss him.
This is quite a blow to the community. You won’t be forgotten, buddy.
A terrible loss to the community and all his friends and neighbors.
So sorry for this terrible loss, Stephanie. He must have been an excellent human being. My love to you and your family.
Andrew Rest In Peace. May all the family and friends be comforted for this untimely death of a person whom I knew.
Sorry to hear such a nice person who was devoted to the Bronx. I knew him for a short time but we learned to count on each other when I was on several boards in the Bronx. He will be missed
I’m so sorry — Andrew was a real asset to this community- He will be missed.
So very sorry – Andrew will be missed by many
8/11/17
FROM:WILLIAM STANFORD JR AKA Mr.X
RE:ANDY (ANDREW) SANDLER
ATTN:DAVID CRUZ
I NEVER KNEW HE HAD CANCER.I KNEW HIM FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 YEARS AND HE’LL BE MISSED.