Dedicated to Uncle Andy.

This entry will be a serious one. Our family suffered a terrible loss Wednesday morning, February 10, 2010. The last few days have been the hardest of my life. My Uncle passed away in a car accident at the young age of 38 on his way to work on 95 that morning. This tragedy has hit our family so hard and so deep. I am very proud to be part of this family despite all of my teasing in the past. Everyone rushed together that day and we have all been so focused on the pain my grandparents are suffering through the loss of their son and making this process as smooth for them as we can.

If you knew Uncle Andy, you knew he would do anything for anyone. Chances are, if you lived in or around Westerly you would find that if you didn't know him directly, it wouldn't be hard to find someone in your life that was touched by him at some point. What brought him immense joy in life was helping the people he knew and cared for and he took great pride in being a hard worker.

Andy was a very unique soul indeed and had an unmistakable laugh. He had diabetes since he was 2 and had other health issues but you would never know. If asked how he was, he always answered with a huge smile on his face saying something like, "Never better!" without fail. He joked constantly and loved animals and cutting wood. He was someone who truly cared for others above himself. A man who was easily pleased most by making those around him happy.

As painful as the loss for me is, seeing how much it is hurting my family, primarily my grandma and grandpa is agony. It absolutely rips my heart out every time one of them breaks down. It will be a long time to heal but together we will get through and I can only hope we don't forget what Andrew stood for and his passion for loving others. I need to remind myself that sweating the small stuff is a waste of energy and holding a grudge is a waste of time. We never know how much time we have and every minute and everyone in our lives is a gift we should cherish. Andy left a legacy behind of love and laughter and I pray my family and I can make him proud and carry that on in his honor.

I'm so sorry you are gone but I am confident we will see you again some day. Until then, keep them laughing in Heaven, Uncle Andy. You are so loved and missed by so many and I was blessed to be one of the people you loved and watched over in your short but full lifetime.