Combine wafer crumbs and margarine. Press onto bottom of a 9" springform pan.
Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a small saucepan; let stand 1 minute. Stir over low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved - about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Add 1/4 cup of gelatin mixture into the cherry pie filling. Mix almond extract and 1/4 cup water together. Stir 2 tsp of this into pie filling. Pour cherry mixture over crust and refrigerate until set - about 30 minutes.
Beat cream cheese and sugar together until light and fluffy; stir in sour cream. Add remaining gelatin mixture and almond extract mixture. Fold in whipped cream; spread over cherry base. Refrigerate until set - about 4 hours or overnight.
Remove side of pan from cheesecake and garnish with chocolate shavings and cherry pie filling.
Notes
Instead of almond extract and water, you may use 1/3 cup almond flavoured liqueur.