Seligman Swartzman Gillis Sandman Joffe Yachad Lederman Fleishman

From an early age, Al liked to build things and greatly admired the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, so becoming an architect was a natural progression. He traveled to a far off Manhattan--Manhattan, Kansas--to study architecture at Kansas State University. He waited tables at resorts in the Catskills and in New Jersey to pay for school and earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1954. After serving as First Lieutenant in the United States Army Signal Corps, Al immediately launched his architectural career in New York City, working at firms including Gehron & Seltzer; Brodsky, Hopf and Adler; Walter Kidd Constructors; McDowell-Goldstein; Roe/Eliseo; and Elson T. Killam Associates. In 1986, he realized his dream of becoming his own boss. He set up shop at home, reworking a room into his own office affectionately known as “The Dungeon.” It was here that Al helped people to realize their dreams and achieve what he had: a loving home and fulfilling career.

Albert U. Schleifer Obituary – June 1, 2016 Albert Usher Schleifer, 86, a smart, caring, and devoted family man with a great sense of humor, died on June 1, 2016. Born on July 16, 1929, to Gertrude and Max, he grew up in the Bronx, New York, the only kid in his class with the middle name Usher. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Renee C. Schleifer (née Stern); son Douglas M. and his wife, Maureen M. Smyth; daughter Heidi J. Schleifer-Fleischman, her husband Edward Fleischman, and their children, Alison and Anna; sister Pauline Mayer; and a host of nieces and nephews. From an early age, Al liked to build things and greatly admired the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, so becoming an architect was a natural progression. He traveled to a far off Manhattan--Manhattan, Kansas--to study architecture at Kansas State University. He waited tables at resorts in the Catskills and in New Jersey to pay for school and earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1954. After serving as First Lieutenant in the United States Army Signal Corps, Al immediately launched his architectural career in New York City, working at firms including Gehron & Seltzer; Brodsky, Hopf and Adler; Walter Kidd Constructors; McDowell-Goldstein; Roe/Eliseo; and Elson T. Killam Associates. In 1986, he realized his dream of becoming his own boss. He set up shop at home, reworking a room into his own office affectionately known as “The Dungeon.” It was here that Al helped people to realize their dreams and achieve what he had: a loving home and fulfilling career. In his downtime, Al followed the New York Mets, which could really get his blood pumping. He showed great prowess on the dance floor; his favorite partner was always his beloved Renee. He also loved deep-sea fishing--the peace of venturing far from shore and the camaraderie of fellow fishermen. But the best payoff? Fish tales! There was the time young Heidi outfished both her big brother and father, and the times the weather turned suddenly, requiring a hasty and thrilling return to shore. As his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews can attest to, Al was a master storyteller with a treasure trove of great source material and a natural sense of comedic timing. His stories were legendary and only got better with repeated telling. Punch lines would be called out in unison, to the delight of all--especially the children. Before moving to Toms River in 2015 to be nearer to his beloved Jersey shore, Al and Renee resided in Westfield, NJ, where they raised their children and participated fully in community life. Al cared deeply for his community, contributing his architectural talents and creativity to make his town a better place. He served as chairman of the Westfield Neighborhood Rehabilitation Association and trustee of the Westfield Senior Citizens Housing Corporation. Recently, he was honored by Westfield Senior Citizens Housing for his long and devoted service. Donations in Al’s name may be sent to the Kansas State University College of Architecture, Planning & Design at KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan, KS, 66502-3373 or Planned Parenthood of Central and Greater Northern New Jersey at Morristown Health Center, 196 Speedwell Ave., Morristown, NJ, 07960. http://obittree.com/obituary/us/new-jersey/vauxhall-union/menorah-chapels-at-millburn/albert-schleifer/2526039/