Albert Gallardo

Albert C. Gallardo
February 6, 1943 ~ August 28, 2024
Albert Christopher "Tico" Gallardo, 81, of Clintondale, NY died on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 after a brief stay at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Albert was born on February 6, 1943 in New York, New York to Marta and Albert Gallardo. He had two sisters, Diana and Nora. His early years were spent on a farm, Villa Hispana in Leptondale where he got to explore and grew a love for nature which would last his entire life. He graduated from Wallkill High School where he played football, ran track and belonged to the auto club. Tico served in the US Navy as a cook on the USS Kidd. Once discharged, he returned to Plattekill, NY. At the urging of his mother, he took a job at a relatively new company, IBM in Fishkill where he worked until retirement as an environmental technician, forgoing his dream of being a car mechanic or forest ranger. After his divorce, Tico loved to drive his corvette, spend time dancing and fishing. Tico loved to make and freeze copious amounts of spaghetti sauce with meatballs and sausage to always have some on hand. His grandchildren remember many meals of pasta and garlic bread, and days spent exploring the woods or flying his model airplanes. He loved to ski, bike ride, coin shoot and dance the night away with friends. He was a wizard at repair work and great at budgeting his money. He took great pride in the fact that he could repair his cars, address any problem with the house, make a penny into a dime and still use his leather belts from earlier years. He truly believed that duct tape could fix anything from a window to a rusted-out car floor. He was a cat lover from Frankie to Seymour. He was always willing to lend his friends a helping hand when needed. He was a man of few words, but he remained curious of the world around him for his entire life and could speak on many topics. His love of Judge Judy was well known by all and was not to be interrupted. In the middle of a heart attack, he still took the time to watch her before going to the hospital, he was devoted! Tico took great pride in all that he pursued and he will be greatly missed by many.
Albert is survived by his daughter, Loretta Anne Gallardo Phillips and her husband Russell who reside in Tampa, Florida; and his son, Albert John Gallardo and his wife Tina, who reside in Holiday, Florida. He has four beautiful grandchildren: Cole Harrison Phillips, Benjamin Alec Phillips, Christina Montana Gallardo, and Joseph Julio Gallardo. He was about to be a great-grandfather to Anakin John Gallardo, who was born at the end of September. His loving sister Nora Hamond Gallardo and husband Eugene Hamond live in Plattekill, and were a wonderful support system for him for years. He has two beloved nephews, David Hamond and his wife Lisa and their daughters Mia and Vivienne, and Michael Hamond and his sons Gabriel and Javier. Albert is predeceased by his father, Albert; mother, Marta; and sister, Diana.
A service to celebrate the life of Albert "Tico" Gallardo will be held on Saturday November 2, 2024 at 2 PM EST. The service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern, 9 Vance Road, Rock Tavern, NY 12575. A reception will follow the ceremony.
Internment of his ashes will take place with family at Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Tico's memory to: Mid-Hudson Animal Aid Cat Sanctuary, 54 Simmons Lane, Beacon, NY 12508.