Donald B. Andrews, 75, of 6635 Phillips Hill Rd. Bolivar NY, passed away on Sept 13th at home after a lengthy illness with ALS. Don was able to be cared for at home for the 7-8 yrs of his illness. Donald was born on March 12, 1947, at Jones Memorial Hospital to John and Loula Burrows Andrews.
He attended Wellsville Central Schools through 6th grade and then went to Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, Fl returning to Wellsville NY to graduate high school as a Senior. A day after graduation he enlisted in the US Air Force along with 3 others in his high school class. Don served for four years in the service. He was in Air Traffic Control and Maintenance during his service time.
His work history has been many varied jobs with Eastman Kodak in Rochester NY. And then returned to Wellsville to work as a bartender, Cameo Restaurant Food and Bar Manager.
At that time he married his wife of 54 years, Cheryl Gardner Andrews, on Christmas Eve 1969 at her parents’ home.
Continuing his education, he enrolled at Alfred State College and majored in Business and Hotel/Motel Management, graduated and the attended Alfred Tech to receive a degree in Plumbing, Electrical and Heating. Don worked in the plumbing business and owned a Roto Rooter franchise for a time.
In 1978 Don, Cheryl and their son Andrew moved to St. Petersburg, FL and Don worked in Motel Management on St. Pete Beach. Several years later he worked for the USPS as a letter carrier in Tampa Florida for 25 years until retirement. He then moved back to Wellsville to be nearer to his family and help care for his sister Yvonne and her husband Gerald Merritt.
Don is survived by his wife Cheryl and son Andrew. All of Don’s immediate family are deceased including his father, mother, sister and special Aunt Carrie Burrows. He is predeceased by his mother and father-in-law Marie and Robert Gardner and brother-in-law Brian Gardner. Surviving also are siblings-in-law, Sandra LaCrone, Robert H. Gardner (Jacci); Mary Gardner Ruch (Jim); Stephen Gardner; Donald Gardner and many nieces, nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church October 21 at noon,
Memorials if desired can be sent to Hearts for ALS P.O. Box 10593 Rochester NY 14610 or St. Johns Episcopal Church 12 East Genesee St. Wellsville NY 14895. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com
