Felix Shandalov

Felix (Faivul) Shandalov, a man of boundless intelligence, love, and resilience died on September 17th, 2026 at the age of 88, surrounded by family and loved ones. Over those years he touched countless lives with his warmth, his curiosity, and his unwaveringly kind spirit.

Felix was born in Gomel, Belarus, and lost both parents at the age of seven. He was raised by his sister, Luba Dayan, and his brother, Michael Shandalov. Those early hardships never dimmed him; he emerged with a deep love of life and family and a lifelong passion for learning. He earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering in the Soviet Union and went on to become a leading engineer at a construction firm in Gomel, where he was widely respected for his work.

On February 3rd, 1961, Felix married Rita Shandalov. Together they shared 65 years of marriage and raised two daughters, and in time welcomed four grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. Family was the center of his life. He was always present, always remembered the smallest details that mattered to the people he loved, and was famously, unfailingly, punctual. For every member of his family he was an anchor: optimistic through everything, and endlessly selfless.

In 1987, Felix brought his family to America in pursuit of a better life for them. He built a new life here from the ground up, working many different jobs and never wavering in his determination to provide for the people he loved. His tenacity was remarkable, but it was his mind that was truly extraordinary. He remembered every date, every holiday, every fact that had long since slipped everyone's memory.

Felix is survived by his wife, Rita; his daughters, Victoria Yampolsky and Inessa Shkolnikov; his sons-in-law, Steven Yampolsky and Genady Shkolnikov; his grandchildren, Rosalyn Shkolnikov and her husband Eugene Sheremet, Alan Shkolnikov and his wife Stephanie Becker, and Mirielle and Ilan Yampolsky; and his great-granddaughter, Noa Sheremet.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.