Obituary of Miguel Angel Gandia, Jr.

Miguel "Mike" Angel Gandia Jr.,born December 19th, 1928 in the Bronx, NY. Son of Viola Chandler and Miguel Angel Gandia passed away November 16, 2019.  

Mike left Brooklyn at the age of 20 to join the army during the Korean War and served from 1948 to 1952 as an Honor Guard in Europe. After his discharge, he entered into the music business as a professional Jazz drummer, which was his passion. During the years he played in numerous cities which include 7 years at the Copa Cabana in New York City. Mike toured and traveled with his bands and throughout his lifetime and played Jazz, his favorite genre.  One special moment he had in Miami, Florida was a visit up to stage from the one and only Tony Bennett.  Tony heard the great music in a club while Mike was playing and was drawn to them.  He asked to come up and join them for a couple of tunes. This was one of many music memories for Mike.

Soon after serving in the Army, he met his first wife Georgia and his son Richard was born. After a divorce, he left New York and moved to Florida where he worked as Chief of Security at the Diplomat Hotel and 17 years at Hollybrook Golf and Tennis Club. His son Richard joined him in Florida after he graduated high school.  Even though he worked a full time job, he never gave up his musical career. He continued to play the drums with his band every weekend and Holiday's up until the ripe old age of 85. He couldn’t walk 10 feet without breathing heavy from his COPD, but he could play the drums for hours without missing a beat.

In 1983 he met his second wife, Roberta Hersch, who had five children of her own, Jerry, Ronda, Louis, Debora and Mark.  Roberta knew Mike was the "One" when he asked her out to lunch at work one day and when crossing the street, he took her hand. "That was it", Roberta said to herself! Mike and Roberta were happily married for 35 years because Mike knew the secret, "Yes, Dear"!   Mike always said he dreamed of a large family, well boy did he get what he wanted! Now with six children and grandchildren, he felt fulfilled!  

Some of his favorite hobbies were golfing and bowling, as well as being a great card player, did I mention he was a Pool Shark! His devotion, generosity, loving heart, and sense of humor will be sadly missed. At the age of 90, after a long courageous battle, Miguel passed away on November 16th, 2019 leaving behind his loving wife, and a family he called his own, of 6 children, 11 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.