William V. “Bill” Gandjos, 80, passed away on October 2nd, 2026, with family by his side. He was born in New York City, New York on October 29th, 1945.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a nephew, Brian Edward Leach, his brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Julie Leach and his brother-in-law, William Davis.
He was a resident of Harmony Township since 1976, a son of the late Emanuel and Rose (Papadakis) Gandjos, who resided in Woodside, New York. Both of Bill’s late parents were born in Greece. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Marlene (Leach) Gandjos, his son, Michael Gandjos (Sherry Berkley), his daughter, Cynthia Keenan (Rodney), his grandsons, Brandon and Ryan Keenan and his granddaughter, Brea Gandjos Fontana.
He is survived by his brothers, Plato (Irene) Gandjos of Dunedin, Florida and Chris Gandjos of Geneva, Ohio, his sisters and brother-in-law Patricia Dengel (Sam), Janet Davis, Marianne Leach and Ken Leach (Susan) and several nieces and nephews.
William was a 1963 graduate of William Cullen Bryant High School in Queens, New York. He continued his education at Long Island University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1971. He had over 50 years of experience in working with various financial institutions taking on roles of in Financial Management, Administration, Credit & Collections, and Lending. He retired from West-Aircomm Federal Credit Union of Beaver. While he was employed at West-Aircomm, he served as an Assistant Manager and Director of Collections. He was drafted in the U.S. Army on September 10th, 1965, and served until September 1st, 1967. During this time, he courageously fought in the jungles of Vietnam. He was awarded Two Overseas Service Bars, a Combat Infantryman Badge, a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, Sharpshooter Badge M-14 Rifle, Vietnam Service metal with a Bronze Star and Two Purple Hearts with one having an Oak Leaf Cluster. He was a member the Cretan Association of Pittsburgh, Fraternal Order of Eagles Ambridge, AHEPA Beaver Valley Chapter 400, Senior Men’s Club of Sewickley, and Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 862. He previously served as the Harmony Township Commissioner, he was on the Municipal Authority Board of Harmony Township, AHEPA District President and Treasurer and was on the Board of Myasthenia Gravis Western Pennsylvania (MGA). He is often remembered as an exemplary coach for Ambridge Youth Association (AYA) for both baseball and softball teams. His favorite pastime was mowing grass at home and at the family’s property known as “The Farm”. His personality resonated and shined wherever he went in all aspects of life. He truly was devoted to his family, friends, and organizations. His sense of humor and positive outlook will forever be remembered by all that knew and loved him. He courageously maintained those characteristics until the very end.
Friends and family will be received on Tuesday, October 6th from 3-7 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements, and from where a AHEPA service will be held at 5:30 P.M. and a Trisagion service right after. Another visitation will take place on Wednesday, October 7th from 10 A.M. until the time of the funeral service at 10:30 A.M. in the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 2930 Beaver Road, Ambridge, with Father Anastasios Athanasoiu officiating.
Interment will take place on Thursday, October 8th at 1:30 P.M. in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution to MGA of Western Pennsylvania, 505 Jackson Drive, Apollo, PA 15613 in memory of William V. “Bill” Gandjos.
