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Edward J. Andrew Naples, FL QCWA # 32550 |
Edward John Andrew, 77, died peacefully at home on March 8 in Naples, FL. Born on December 4, 1935 in Ft. Worth, TX, Ed was flown to Chicago at the then record-setting age of ten days to join his adoptive parents Victor John and Aileen Sharkey Andrew in a bungalow near Midway Airport.
Previously a resident of Orland Park, IL, for 43 years, Ed is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of nearly 56 years Edith Grant Andrew; his five children Edward, Jr. (Charlene), Richard (Diane Buchanan), William (Patricia), Laurel (Victor Onufrieff) and Kathryn Willett (James); his grandchildren Brandon and Brianna, Caitlin, Cameron, and Carolyn, Kathryn, William, Jr., and Kelly, Victoria and Ian Onufrieff, Calli, Abigail and Ethan Willett, and stepgrandson Nicholas O. Armstrong (Angie); his sister Juanita A. Hord; and eight nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor J. and Aileen S. Andrew, his brother-in-law Robert E. Hord, and his sister-in-law Carolyn E. Grant.
A graduate of The College of Wooster in Wooster, OH, Ed served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1956 to 1958. He was the former Chairman of Andrew Corporation, President and Director Emeritus of The Andrew Family Foundation, Trustee Emeritus of The College of Wooster, Director of the Dingman's Choice & Delaware Bridge Company and former Director of the Aileen S. Andrew Foundation and TEN-TEC. During his 30 year career with Andrew Corporation, an international manufacturer of telecommunications equipment, Ed also served as Vice President, International Sales. One of the highlights of Ed's life was meeting and working alongside the thousands of Andrew Corporation employees worldwide.
An avid traveler professionally and personally, Ed visited all seven continents during his life. As a child, he and his sister Juanita lived and drove all over the United States with their parents as they grew Andrew Corporation, even living in Cuba for two years while Victor established telecommunications systems there. Rarely did Ed and Juanita complete an entire school year in one place. After a road trip with his parents in the 1940's, Ed maintained a lifelong affinity for the "Four Corners" region and rafted through the Grand Canyon four times after he turned 50.
Ed lived a very full life. He earned his pilot's license in his late teens and later became an amateur radio operator. He played baseball and was a bowler, a golfer, a photographer, a classic car aficionado, and a bridge player. He coached Little League teams and served as a Cub Scout Webelo den leader and assistant Boy Scout troop leader for his sons. He was a member of Kappa Theta Epsilon at Pomona College, where he met, courted and married Edith.
Ed was devoted to his family, participating in and following their lives and activities with enthusiasm. He passed his many passions - travel, aviation, cars, baseball, bowling, golf and philanthropy - on to his children and grandchildren. He will be remembered as a "jolly" uncle. Benefactor to The College of Wooster, Pomona College, Knox College, Lawrence University, Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida and Ronald McDonald House at Hope Children's Hospital, Ed will also be remembered for his generosity to others.
Ed never met a stranger and loved to tell stories from his fascinating life to anyone who would listen. He leaves behind friends all over the world. Ham radio operator "KB9KV out".
The family extends their deep appreciation and gratitude to the kind and compassionate caregivers from Family Private Care and Ambassador Family Services who ensured that Ed's final months at home in Naples were comfortable. Assistance was provided by Avow Hospice. Muller-Thompson Funeral Chapel handled arrangements.
A celebration of Ed's life will be held on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Dinolfo's Banquets, 14447 W. 159th Street, Homer Glen, IL. Visitation with the family will follow immediately after until 3:00 pm