Richard Friedlander, 73 of Clifton Park New York passed away in Saratoga Springs on May 18 2024 after succumbing to complications from a fall and Lewy body dementia.

Born on Dec 1 1950 in Albany he was married to Gail Susan Farrell his beloved companion of 35 years. Richard attended Milne High School, graduated from SUNY Albany and maintained many lifelong close friendships from both. He earned a master’s degree and enjoyed a long career as a systems analyst with New York State.

With a great passion for harness and thoroughbred racing he owned harness horses and anxiously anticipated opening day of the flat track every summer. As an avid fisherman he loved to tell childhood stories about fishing with his uncle Morrie or when on his way back from a fishing expedition being stopped by a policeman who after learning Rich had been fishing and seeing the huge fish Rich had caught couldn’t bring himself to ruin such a beautiful day for Rich and let him go.

Whether on a beach in Aruba, at a card table in the casino or happy at home with family and friends, Rich was a motivated and great lover of life. To be around him was to be touched by this love and moved by his joyous and humorous spirit.

Rich was a guy you could depend on. He was a caring and compassionate person who took care of and showed a genuine interest in others.

He is pre deceased by his, parents Leonard Friedlander and Dorothy Zweig Friedlander. His grandparents Richard and Sophie Friedlander, and Louis and Sophie Zweig. He is survived by his beloved wife Gail Susan Farrell of Clifton Park, his sister Ruth (Terrence Holohan)  Friedlander of Altamont, brother Barry Friedlander of Albany, many cousins, brother and sister-in-law Richard and Jill Cantor of Seville OH and their children Max, Leonard, Erika, Jamie

and many cherished life long and devoted friends who stood by him until the end.

The family wishes to express their thanks and gratitude to Peregrine Memory Care for providing a genuine caring home to support Richard’s last year and a half. Also to Saratoga Hospital for the extraordinary skill and compassion they exhibited to bring comfort to him and the family in his final days.

Those wishing to remember Rich in a special way can make memorial contributions in his name to, The Lewy Body Dementia Association or The Alzheimer’s Association atalz.org

Funeral services for Rich will be held on Tuesday May 21st at 11:00 am at The Levine Memorial Chapel, 649 Washington Ave. in Albany. Burial will follow at The Independent Benevolent Cemetery on Fuller Rd. in Albany.