Donald Louis Gandy

Donald Louis Gandy was born on September 27, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was the eighth of 14 children born to Henry Thomas Gandy and Delia Fox Gandy. Donald loved his mother dearly and would do anything for her. He said his father brought a strong hand, one that was needed for such a large family. Donald worked hard in school and was born with eyes that were not the best. He had to pay close attention to make sure he did not miss anything. Donald spent much of his life in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). He went to church weekly as a child and, when he was older, taught Sunday School. While he was a student at Melrose High, he worked long hours at the local pharmacy after school, sometimes closing up shop. He was editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and editor of the yearbook. After graduation, Donald made the great migration north to New York to join his other siblings, and in time did a stint in the military. He was drafted, like his brothers before him, and served in the Army. He was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany and worked in intelligence; on this assignment, he developed impeccable typing and writing skills. When he returned to New York, he graduated from Pace University with a BBA in accounting and auditing. He also joined the debate team – all while working full-time at night for the US Postal Service. He went on to study management and taxation in graduate school, and various other business disciplines. In New York, Donald married Clara Wigfall; that union produced one child, Celeste. While raising Celeste with Clara he adopted skills and methods that he wanted to document. After taking an extensive writing course he decided to complete a work he had in progress. The result was his book: "A Tablespoon of Love, A Tablespoon of Discipline; The Recipe for Raising a Child," which details sound parenting principles for guiding children from youth to adulthood. While his marriage to Clara did not endure, over the years they faithfully parented and supported their daughter together. In Donald’s professional career, he shared his accounting skills with organizations like the Ford Motor Company and CWA 1180 Local Union. He was also a self-employed tax accountant with many clients in many states for over 30 years. He was an accounting wiz known for balancing to the penny. In 2002, Donald married Maxine Hicks. After retiring, Donald and Maxine moved to Rice, VA, building their dream home on many acres of land. In Virginia, he maintained his tax business while cooking, entertaining, and spending numerous hours on his riding lawnmower. He enjoyed worship at New Jerusalem Baptist Church, where he and Maxine participated in numerous ministries, including providing support to families with small children. In 2016, Donald and his wife moved north to New Jersey to be closer to family. They were able to spend more time with “the kids” and embraced Mt. Zion AME as a home church. Having abandoned the riding lawnmower, Donald’s hobbies included writing, watching the news of the day, and then debating that news. He found a great deal of fun in the kitchen, whipping up homemade and organic delicacies. He particularly enjoyed tweeting (because it’s a Gandy thing), and playing chess and Scrabble for the win; always for the win. Donald’s legacy will be carried forward by, his wife Maxine Hicks Gandy, daughter Celeste Gandy Evans, granddaughter Carla Grace Evans, children by marriage, Marcella Greene and Eric Greene, sisters Fedie Jo Clemmons, Annette Gandy Fortt (Rev. John Fortt), and Evelyn Gandy and countless nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by siblings Dorothy Gandy, Altha Gandy, Sarah Goosby, Henry Gandy, Rev. Gwendolyn Washington, David Gandy, Edwinor Lewis, Eleanor Gandy, Carol Patterson and Wendell Gandy Please Note: In lieu of flowers, please consider a check donation to: C. David Evans Scholarship 2227 US Highway 1, #204 North Brunswick, NJ 08902. This Scholarship will provide for college students pursuing an advanced degree and who have lost a parent to cancer. All Donations are tax deductible.

Donald Louis Gandy

September 27, 1937 - January 21, 2023