Saying Farewell to a Legend

Al Ostrander

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to CSBL Legend-Captain Al Ostrander, 84. Al was a fierce defender and a smart floor general with a nice outside shot. Al joined the CSBL in 1992. He became a team captain 3 years later and served as a captain for the remainder of his years in the CSBL. He was a shrewd judge of talent and had an uncanny ability to draft players that complemented each other and fit together to create a strong team. His teams were almost always at the top of the league fighting for division and playoff championships. His teams have won a league best 10 regular season championships and multiple playoff championships. His son Butch currently is a team captain in the Colonie division and a member of the league’s Board of Directors. One year captain Al and captain Butch each won the playoff championship for their division in the same season. Al always brought a cooler to Lishakill and seemed to have sandwiches and sodas for everyone who sat with him to watch the games. Farewell Captain.

Alton Ostrander Obituary

Ostrander, Alton “Al”
COLONIE – Alton “Al” G. Ostrander, 84 of Colonie, passed away at his residence on Sunday, October 8, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Colonie, he was the son of the late Frederick and Jane Ostrander, and the brother of the late Nancy Vermette and Bernadine Pallack.
Al was a 1956 graduate of Colonie High School. He worked briefly with the Capital Police before starting his career with the New York State Police in 1967, where he served proudly as a New York State Trooper for nearly thirty years. He spent the majority of those years working out of the Troop G, Selkirk Station.
Al was a sports enthusiast and an avid fan of the New York Giants, Yankees and Knicks. He loved playing basketball and golf. He also worked as a varsity high school basketball official for many years. Al played and coached in the Colonie Senior Basketball League for over 25 years where he met lifelong friends and comrades.
Al is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Patricia Ostrander (Ruopp). He was the devoted father of Susan Ostrander and Alton “Butch” (Anh) Ostrander Jr. Al was the grandfather of Sarah Slyer, Leah Cancilla, and Dat Tran; and the cherished Papa of Madison, Aiden, Jackson, and Sebastian. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including his niece, Phyllis Hallenbeck who held a special place in his heart.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Al’s family on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Ave., Colonie. Funeral services will be on Friday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY, 12204.
To leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.CannonFuneral.com.