Albany - Abraham (Al) Staff passed away peacefully on June 7, 2025 at the age of 105, surrounded by loving family and caregivers. Al was a man of great strength, humor, intellect, curiosity, and with the ability to try new things and adapt to all the changes of life he experienced. He will be remembered for his most often repeated expression “do it yesterday.”

Al was born in Poland in 1919 and escaped religious persecution with his family who came to America in 1921. He grew up in Brooklyn, NY and was the product of a large and extremely close family including 6 brothers and sisters who long since predeceased him. He attended City College of New York and at the age of 20 came to Albany, NY to begin his adult life. AL worked for the Unemployment Division of the State of NY and rapidly gained promotion. He worked at three jobs to provide for his new family until starting his own accounting practice in 1945. His clients trusted Al and relied on his financial and worldly advice. He is remembered even to this day by descendants of his old clients for the level of esteem in which he was held.   He met his beloved wife on a blind date and married Eleanor Eisenberg on Valentine’s Day in 1943. Together they built a life of accomplishment and success, and always remembered their roots by sharing with family and community.

AL involved himself in the community and practiced not only his profession but also the spirit of community. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Free and Accepted Masons, Temple Israel in Albany, Shaker Ridge Country Club, and many other local organizations. He believed strongly in the value of education, and not only supported his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in their higher educational pursuits, but also started and endowed a perpetual fund with the Jewish Federation of Northeastern NY to assist young Jewish students to attend college.

Al is survived by his son Michael Staff (Ruth), his grandchildren Eric Evans (Faigel), Bryan Staff (Stephanie), Sarah Gilbert (David), Lauren Staff, Seth Martin (Liz), and Courtney Mahairas (Jimmy). He also is survived by 11 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Al was preceded in death by his daughter Carole Evans and his 6 siblings.  The family is also greatly indebted to the long-time care provided by Ivelis Vega and her team of aides.

Services will be held at 12 Noon, Wednesday June 11th, at the Levine Memorial Chapel, 649 Washington Avenue in Albany 12206, followed by interment at Beth Abraham Jacob Cemetery on Western Avenue, Guilderland, NY 12203. Relatives and friends are welcome at Avila Retirement Community, 100 White Pine Drive, Albany, NY 12203 following the cemetery service between 4-8 PM which will include Shivah.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any charitable donations be made to the Jewish Federation of NENY directed to the Abraham and Eleanor Staff Scholarship Fund, at 184 Washington Ave Ext., Albany, NY 12203.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.