Sandor “Sandy” (Zell) Zelekovitz

ZELEKOVITZ: Sandor “Sandy” (Zell) Zelekovitz — a true mensch — moved through the world like water. When he entered a room, his presence arrived all at once, filling every corner and quiet space effortlessly, the way water rushes in after a dam breaks. Powerful but never overwhelming. Gentle but impossible to ignore. People naturally drifted toward him, pulled into his current by warmth, humor, kindness and an unmistakable sense of safety. He had that rare ability to make people feel immediately known. A stranger became a friend in 10 minutes. A friend became family soon after that. And once Sandy loved you, you stayed loved for life. Born to Lou and Sylvia (Zell) Zelekovitz, Sandy was raised in a home shaped by both survival and joy. Together, they taught Sandy perhaps the most important lesson of all: The greatest response to hatred and suffering was not bitterness, but joy. To live fully. To love deeply. To build a beautiful life anyway. And Sandy carried that lesson forward relentlessly in everything he did and in everyone he touched. As the eldest brother to Jeff and Marc, Sandy understood early that strength was not about commanding attention. Like water, Sandy found every crack where somebody needed something, anything, and gently filled it no matter what. He found joy in places others overlooked entirely. He could turn an ordinary moment into a story people would repeat for years. In speaking about nothing, he somehow taught you everything you needed to know about life. Sandy carried a deep devotion to his Jewish faith, to the Jewish people, and to the state of Israel. Together with his beloved wife, Barbara, his true partner in every sense, Sandy co-chaired 412 Friends of Zahal, helping bring wounded Israeli Defense Forces veterans to Pittsburgh each year for healing, support and connection. He also proudly served on the board of Beth Samuel Jewish Center in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, strengthening the Jewish community he loved so deeply. If you knew him, you knew this truth: Taking care of people was not simply something Sandy did; it was who he was. Sandy died on May 7, 2026, and it felt as though the tide itself had receded. But every now and then, when the trees begin to rustle, when a robin lingers a little too long on the windowsill, or when a squirrel stops and looks at you sideways for no reason at all, it becomes a little easier to believe that Sandy never really left. Sandy is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara Williams Zelekovitz; his loving children, Mitchell (Ashley) Levine, Benjamin (Rivka) Levine, Rena (Adam) Fasone, Traci Levine, Justin (Courteney) Zelekovitz and Doogie (Emily) Levine; his brothers Jeff (Sue) Zell and Marc (Janet) Zelkovitz. He was a proud and adoring grandfather of Lily, Eli, Emma, Mila, Charlie, Sloane and Nico. Sandy was also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends. Services and interment were private. Contributions in Sandy’s memory may be made to 412 Friends of Zahal, 6820 Juniata Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15208. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. PJC