Edward Richard Andrews

Edward R. Andrews

MOUNT WOLF – Edward R. Andrews, 77, went to heaven to be with our Lord at 4 PM on Saturday, February 13, 2021. He passed away in York Hospital after a seven-week battle with complications from Covid-19. Edward was born in Greensburg, PA, on May 28, 1943, to his Lithuanian American parents Anthony “Scotty” and Eleanor “Helen” Kolikowski Andrews. Edward’s parents Scotty and Helen raised their four children Patricia, William, Edward, and Rose Mary in a duplex house in Wendel, PA, where both his father and his grandfather William worked in the coal mines. His maternal grandparents Marcella and William Kolikowski each immigrated from Lithuania in 1913; they met and later married in Homestead, Pennsylvania. Edward was proud of his Lithuanian heritage and the work-ethic that he learned from his parents and grandparents.

     Edward graduated in 1961 from Hempfield Area High School in Greensburg, PA. Ed joined the United States Air Force and served for four years as a medic. He primarily served at Elmendorf AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska. Edward was an eyewitness of the Great Alaskan Earthquake with a magnitude of 9.2 which occurred on Good Friday, March 27,1964. Edward and his fellow airmen served the community during the aftermath.

     Edward met his future wife in his mother’s kitchen when he was home on leave from the United States Air Force in 1967. His younger sister Rose Mary’s friend Marcia caught his eye, and he pursued her until she finally agreed to go on a date with him. Edward and Marcia were married on April 18, 1969, in St. Edward’s R.C. Church, Herminie, PA. Ed attended Penn State University at the McKeesport campus and achieved an associate degree in mechanical engineering. He worked as a draftsman on engineering projects at different firms to support his family. Edward and Marcia had a daughter in 1974, Celeste Marcelle, and a son in 1976, Wade Justin.

     Edward was a resident of West Newton, PA, from 1973 to 2006 when he and his wife moved to be closer to their grandchildren. He was a member of Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in York, PA. He was also a member of the Starview Sportsman’s Club in Mount Wolf, PA, Donegal Trout Unlimited in Lancaster, PA, and the Knights of Columbus. Ed was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed riding his bicycle on the rail trail along Codorus Creek. He routinely took walks around the neighborhood and said hello to everyone he encountered. Ed loved to go pheasant hunting with his bird dog Hunter each fall, and to go deer hunting in muzzleloader season. Ed enjoyed gunsmithing, particularly building colonial style Pennsylvania long rifles and carving the gun stocks himself. Edward was passionate about fly fishing and spent many hours tying his own flies in the winter while waiting for trout season to begin. He went fly fishing regularly with his fellow veterans on trips organized by Donegal Trout Unlimited. Ed also volunteered his help with stocking fish, promoting youth fishing to the public, and other conservation projects. In the summer months, Ed liked to grow tomatoes, peppers, and green beans in his garden. When he could not be outside, Ed enjoyed watching old Western movies, golf, or football. He was a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers football fan.

     Ed was a loving family man, and the joy of Edward’s life was his three grandchildren. Grandpa Ed’s favorite activities were babysitting and cooking for Ethan, Luke, and Maddy. Ed frequently made their favorite foods and always made them eat their vegetables. Ed loved to take Maddy fishing or play badminton with her. He also enjoyed admiring Luke’s artwork, taking Luke to sports practice, and watching Luke play soccer or basketball. Ed enjoyed throwing a baseball with Ethan and loved teaching him how to hunt for pheasants, squirrel, and deer. He attended all of their birthday parties, swam with them in the pool, and frequently went to their sporting and marching band events.

     Edward is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marcia Andrews, as well as his daughter Celeste. He is also survived by his son, Dr. Wade J. Andrews, M.D., daughter-in-law Dr. Genevieve Andrews, M.D., grandsons Ethan and Luke, and granddaughter Madeleine. Ed is additionally survived by his sister Patricia Kowalsky, his brother William Andrews, his sister Rose Mary Andrews Lapina, and brother-in-law John Lapina. Ed leaves numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his friends.

     Visitation will be held on Monday, February 22, 2021, at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, 2935 Kingston Road, East York, PA, 17402, at 9 AM. A rosary will be prayed for Edward at 9:45 AM. Following visitation and rosary, a funeral mass for the repose of the soul of Edward R. Andrews will be held at St. Joseph’s R.C. church at 10 AM.

     A military memorial service will be held at 1 PM in the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Indiantown Gap Road, Annville, PA, 17003.

     Please note that due to Covid-19 restrictions, only 25 mourners will be permitted to attend the military memorial service at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Additionally, the cemetery does not permit flowers except from the veteran’s spouse. In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of the following charities in the memory of Edward R. Andrews.

     Contributions in memory of Edward Andrews can be mailed to: Donegal Trout Unlimited, Attn: Veteran’s Service Partnership, P.O. Box 8001, Lancaster, PA 17604, https://donegaltu.org/ or  Catholic Food Harvest Pantry, 628 East Market Street, York, PA 17403, https://www.catholicharvest.org/donations/

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