Obituary of John J. Andrews

John J. Andrews, 84, of Vestal, NY passed away on Monday, April 27, 2015. John was born February 5, 1931 in Hornell, NY and he never lost his enthusiasm for his hometown and his friends there. He was predeceased by his parents, Clair and Edna Saxton Andrews; two brothers, Clifton (Kip) and Donald; a brother in spirit, Frank Fitzsimmons; and his sister, Ruth Kroldart. John is survived by his partner of 34 years, Katherine (Kate) Fitzgerald, Vestal, NY and her extended family; his five children, Susan Mulvey (Jerry Murphy), Vestal, NY, Bernie and wife Sue, Endicott, NY, Marybeth and William Foster, Georgetown, MA, Joseph, Endicott, NY and Alice Loveys, Rochester, NY; nine grandchildren, Jacqueline, Michael, Nichols, Madelyn, John, Robert, Sara, Luke and Violet; his former son-in-law, Luke Loveys (Karen) and their children Matthew and Kelli; sister-in-law, Mary Ann; several nieces and nephews; his Godson, Santino DeAngelo; his first cousin also born February 5, 1931 Paul Andrews and wife Clara; and close friends and neighbors, Monica and Russ Pennington. Growing up in the war years, John began working evenings and nights around school hours at age 13 for the Erie Railroad, rising from switch sweeper to the Accounting Bureau. He was nicknamed "Spider" by his high school baseball coach for being a web in the infield. John was proud to achieve Divison I status as a college basketball referee. John joined the NYS Police after serving honorably in the Navy. He led the Governor's car for the opening of the New York State Thruway in 1954. He worked for several years as a deputy sheriff in Monroe County. He moved to Broome County in 1963 as a Tobin First Prize Salesman. John was elected Broome County Sheriff for two terms in the 1970's. John was ahead of his times in jail administration. He introduced competitive civil service and hired the first women deputies, set up a Mobile Radio Communications System, and developed the largest inmate Work Release Program in Upstate NY. He significantly improved safety and health conditions for guards and inmates. His initiatives included mental health clinics, High School Equivalency training, library services, and dental services for inmates. He hired the first full time jail Chaplain. In retirement, John served legal papers for HH&K and other law firms, right up through age 82. John loved government and politics, vegetable gardening, and golf but above all he enjoyed meeting people and he was known for his warmth and wit. His greatest joy was in musical theatre performance. John appeared locally in numerous productions of "Hello Dolly," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Annie Get Your Gun," "Music Man," "My Fair Lady," "Sound of Music," "South Pacific," "Most Happy Fellow," "Anything Goes," "No, No, Nanette," "Camelot," and "The King and I" at the Cider Mill and with the BC Pops, SRO and Jan DeAngelo Productions. There are no calling hours. Contributions in his memory may be made to Achieve, 47 Riverside Drive, Johnson City, NY 13790. A celebration of his life and Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, May 2 at Our Lady of Sorrows, 801 Main St., Vestal, NY at noon.