Alan Chandler

Alan was born in West Ham, London, England. Growing up in east London, he became a West Ham United fan like his father and played several sports including rugby, Cricket, and English football at school.

Alan completed his apprenticeship in Printer Engineering at City College Norwich. In the 1970s, his career took him to Kenya to train people for his company. While there, he pursued his hobbies by sailing on Lake Victoria and climbing to the summit of Mount Kenya.

After a brief move back to England, Alan’s company offered him a position in Chicago, Illinois. This was where he met Darlene, the love of his life, and married her on August 23, 1986 at St. Michaels Episcopal Church.

While in Chicago and upstate New York, Alan continued to race weekly in various regattas. His successes included participation in Olympic trials and world championship qualifying racing.

Despite his vision and hearing loss due to Usher Syndrome, he loved woodworking, carpentry, building, and sailing model boats. He also worked with the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind to repair braille writers which he turned into a hobby and business after his retirement.

Alan was a wonderful husband and amazing father with a deep love for his family. He was a wonderful man who was always upbeat and positive and never let anything keep him down.

Survivors include Alan's son, Keith, and Keith's wife, Anna; granddaughters, Ellison and Caroline; son, Kevin, and Kevin's husband, Brandon; and brother, Brian, and Brian's wife, Carolyn.

A celebration of life will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, January 7, 2022 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124.

Rest in Peace, Alan