Alan Morton Rosenthal, 89, passed away on August 1, 2026. Alan was born in the Bronx, New York, to Fredric and Anne Rosenthal and was raised in Miami, Florida. He had one sister, Vivienne Rosch, and attended the University of Florida. While living in Miami Beach, he met the love of his life, Karen, who was vacationing there. After a long-distance courtship, they married and moved to Karen's hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In Columbus, Alan began a successful career in retail management. In 1976, he and Karen relocated their family to Marietta, Georgia, where he joined Rich's Department Store. Known affectionately as "Mr. Merchant," Alan believed in leading by example. He was rarely found behind a desk, choosing instead to be on the sales floor alongside his employees.
After retiring from Federated Department Stores, Alan fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening a baseball card shop in Marietta, combining his passion for retail with his love of baseball. He later returned to the department store business, selling shoes at Parisian and then Belk, officially retiring for the second time at the age of 81.
Baseball was one of Alan's greatest joys. Nothing made him happier than sharing his love of the game with his grandsons, creating memories that will be treasured for generations.
Alan held many titles throughout his life, but his favorite was "Grandpa Al" to his seven grandchildren and, later, "Great Grandpa Al" to his seven great-grandchildren. They brought him immeasurable joy and pride to his life.
Alan treasured his many friendships and loved keeping up with friends, classmates, former coworkers, and relatives. He loved Facebook, where he enjoyed reconnecting with people from every chapter of his life and celebrating their families and accomplishments.
His quick wit, infectious sense of humor, and positive outlook endeared him to everyone who knew him. Alan’s favorite saying was, "Look at the green," a phrase that always brought a smile to his children when they received his daily morning text.
Alan will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Alan was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Karen Rosenthal, and his son, Stuart Rosenthal.
He is survived by his daughters, Traci Edwards (Jeff) and Lori Hurst (Bob); his daughter-in-law, Mary Lou Rosenthal; his grandchildren, Jessica Beer (Logan), Alyson Egan (Brandon), Erika Sizemore (Josh), Andrew Rosenthal, Davis Calandra (Mary Beth), Kyle Calandra, and Jake Edwards; and his cherished great-grandchildren, Blakely, Griffin, Lyla, Bowen, Hudson, Hadley, and Baylor Kate.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Arlington Memorial Park, 201 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, Georgia 30328, with Rabbi Steven J. Lebow officiating.
