As a teacher, there are children that come into your life that are so very special, that they never leave your heart......that is Andy. 

My deepest sympathies.

Though heartbroken for your unimaginable loss, remembering Andy instantly brought smiles to our faces. Andy’s welcoming and joyful personality touched our lives, particularly as a classmate, teammate and coach. Bryanna recollected their 5th grade talent show as the Jackson’s. Andy enthusiastically stepped up in the role as Janet Jackson and brought down the house with his performance! Rocco and all the Carzo's recall Andy’s many hockey games, both as a player and a coach. Andy’s love and enthusiasm for the sport was infectious and he supported and encouraged his teams, even when no longer playing himself. Daria and Mikaela recall Andy as a skilled, kind and supportive coach and most especially, Mikaela's wonderful memory of Andy as her first crush!  Andy’s giving spirit was a gift to all.  Sending our love and prayers of comfort to Andy’s beloved family.

The morning after my and Walker's wedding, Andy had to swing by my parents' house to drop off some of the groomsmen's suits. It was supposed to be a quick errand, especially since he was responsible for driving some friends home that day; friends who, after not hearing back from Andy for over an hour, were growing anxious. As they later found out, my dad had invited Andy inside to join the family for brunch that morning, and Andy had accepted. While his phone was buzzing in the background with missed calls, Andy was happily joking with and charming my family to the point where, since that day in 2014, whenever they’ve heard his name, they’ve always responded with, "Andy! We love Andy!!”

Andy did that a lot. He turned acquaintances into friends, and friends into family. I’ll never forget meeting him for the first time when he came to visit Walker at Davidson College in 2010, and being blown away by how close they were to each other. He was warm, and welcoming, and genuinely seemed to care about his friends so much. In fact, a couple months later, when Walker thought he needed to “convince” me to date him, he simply called Andy and handed the phone to me. Andy spent a *full* fifteen minutes regaling me with tales of Walker’s wondrousness. I couldn’t get a word in edgewise to tell him it wasn’t necessary; but, if I hadn’t been on board before, I’m sure I would have been after Andy stepped in.

Andy had boundless love for the people around him. He was a defacto brother to those boys whom he met in diapers and a once-in-a-lifetime friend to others who were lucky enough to meet him along the way; a proud sibling who bragged about his sisters and brother-in-law; an utterly and completely smitten uncle; an admiring son who emulated his parents in every way; and a devoted, adoring husband to Alex (or, as Andy would say, “a total babe”). He really, really, really loved Al.

This loss is immense and unimaginable and brings fresh waves of grief every day. I send my whole heart to the Bruce and Marshall families, as well as my sincere thanks for sharing Andy with all of us. We will love and miss him forever.  

I had the good fortune of knowing Andy for three decades.  I don't have a story to share, just happy fleeting moments that remind me my life is richer because of him: 

The flinty eyed ten-year-old skating backwards on a suburban cul-de-sac gleefully trash talking the older kids and adults who think they may sneak a shot past him.

The mischievous adolescent cracking wise with family and friends throughout a scorching, tourist death march.

The buoyant graduate student teaching his mother to Dougie amid stacks of half washed dishes after Thanksgiving dinner.

The young husband finding significance and meaning in service to others.

I miss Andy, I mourn his loss and I am grateful for the times I shared with him and his family.