Alexander C. McNally ’56

Sandy McNally died June 11, 1997, at his home in Hartford, Conn. He was a native of Indianapolis and prepared at Shortridge H.S. At Princeton he majored in architecture and archeology, took part in Theatre Intime and University Players presentations, and was a member of the Orange Key intercollegiate committee, the Outing Club, and Cloister Inn.

In 1958 Sandy received his MBA from Harvard Business School, and joined Alexis Lichine in the wine business, working in Margaux Medoc. He returned to the U.S. in 1959 as North American sales director. Sandy joined Heublein, Inc., in 1962, put together their first wine auction in 1969, and was responsible for annual wine auctions until he retired in 1984. An expert on fine and rare wines, Sandy, with his natural showmanship, introduced a whole generation to the enjoyment and appreciation of wine. In the Dec. 14, 1983 PAW, Sandy was quoted as follows: "Drinking old wines is a sort of communion. Here we get as close as possible to parts of history we never could have experienced."

Sandy and Tina, his wife of 35 years, were in Austria each summer for the music season. He served as a trustee of the Hartt School of Music of the U. of Hartford, and as a v.p. of the Princeton Club of Central Conn. Sandy is survived by Tina, and his brother, Daniel. The class extends to them its deep sympathy for their loss.