Alan Yassky, age 82, of Tuxedo Park, New York, passed away at home on June 7, 2018, surrounded by loved ones. He was an adored father and friend to his four children, Karen Clemons of Ohio, Linda Yassky of Brooklyn, Steven Mason Yassky and Laura Yassky Glynn, both of Upper Nyack, as well as their respective spouses, Tom Clemons, Georges Nahitchevansky, Bonnie Elder Yassky and John Glynn. Alan was also the proud grandfather of Rebecca, Ben, Jon, Vladimir, Nina, Imogene, Hannah and Tyler, and one great-granddaughter, Delaney. He is also survived by his devoted partner Francine Liza, of Tuxedo Park, and his loving sister, Marilyn Prant, of Voorhees, New Jersey. Alan’s adored wife of 53 years, Jean Mason Yassky, passed away in 2008.

Alan Yassky was born and raised in Nyack. A Nyack boy through and through -- he knew the Rockland County of both past and present. He could regal one with stories of swimming in the Hudson River, driving his door-less Model T through Nyack with his high school buddies standing on either running board, and working on a road crew blasting rock to lay the New York State Thruway.

After graduating from Nyack High School (1953) and the University of Vermont (1957), Alan entered the Air Force and served for four years in the Office of Special Investigations, rising to the rank of Captain. Alan entered the real estate business in 1962 as a salesperson selling new homes. Alan with his wife Jean, successfully launched Rockland Realty in 1964. As the county grew, so did their business. They eventually expanded its operations to include both residential and commercial sales and leasing. Over fifty years later, Rockland Realty, is still proudly family owned and operated.

Of note amongst a few of Alan’s successful real estate ventures are: the transformation of the former Ramapo Valley Airport into the corporate business park known as Airport Executive Park, in Nanuet; and conversion of Rockland Garden Apartments into elderly and affordable housing units in Nyack. Alan was and is still involved in numerous other major investments throughout Rockland County, as well as interests in North Carolina and Ohio. He was widely admired for his excellent judgment, a quality that served him especially well in his choice of business partners of whom he often remarked he felt blessed to have known. In business and in life he was willing to consider all sides, and never avoided the risky or difficult choice if he believed it was the right one.

Alan was active in both the Rockland County and New York State Boards of Realtors, rising through the ranks to hold the presidency in both organizations. In 1984, he was appointed as a National Director of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and held the office of Treasurer from 1997 to 2000. In 2003, he received NAR’s Distinguished Service Award, and lifetime member of Realtors Political Action Committee. Alan was a past President of the Spring Valley Rotary Club and was a member of the Board of Directors of The Tuxedo Park Historical Society, The Rockland County Cancer Society, and The Rockland County Housing Coalition. Alan also served as a Chairman of the Clarkstown Industrial Commission and was a Director Emeritus of The Rockland Economic Development. He was a proud member of Trout Unlimited, The Black Meadow Club and Barbers Eddy Club, as well as The Tuxedo Club.

For the past thirty-three years Alan lived in Tuxedo Park, where he volunteered countless hours managing a variety of special projects for the community including the restoration of the police booth and offices, the repair and rebuilding of the stone wall along Tuxedo Road, and the reworking of the Wee Wah dam.

The breadth and depth of his knowledge, on a vast range of topics, and his ability to explain just about anything to anyone, were a constant source of wonder and joy for his children and those lucky enough to know him. He possessed boyish good looks, intelligence, charm, a sense of adventure, and an abundance of good will and generosity that made him the best of company. Alan could pilot a boat, fly a plane, cast into the wind while reeling in the big one, hit a moving target, and fix just about anything that involved pipes, nails or wood, often in the most novel ways. He was a gifted public speaker and story teller. He was an amazing negotiator from the days where a handshake meant something up until the day he passed and was always eager to celebrate the accomplishments of others. His level-headed wisdom, good humor and love for his family and friends will be sorely missed.

There will be a celebration of Alan Yassky’s life on Thursday, June 28, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 10 Fox Hill Road, Tuxedo Park, New York.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in his name please be directed to either United Hospice of Rockland, 11 Stokum Lane, New City, NY 10956 / hospiceofrockland.org , or Trout Unlimited PO Box 7400, Woolly Bugger, WV 25438-7400 / www.tu.org
Hannemann Funeral Home, Inc.
Nyack, NY ~ (845) 358-0573