Andrew George Straw went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 28th, 2021 at the age of 63. He passed away in his home after a long, courageous fight with ALS. He was preceded in death by his brother Jeffery and parents, Douglas and Janice. He is survived by his wife, Judy; sister, Kathryn Olson; children, Laura Byington (and her husband Matthew), Allison, Rebecca Walker (and her husband Chris), and Scott; and grandchildren Alexandra and Everleigh.
Andy received degrees from Northern Valley Regional High School (NJ), from the University of Virginia (where he was a Pi Kappa Phi brother), and from the Resselaer Polytechnic Institute. He was a software engineer for over thirty years and an adjunct instructor at local Rochester universities. Andy was a devoted husband and father, and follower of the Lord. His passions included soccer, volleyball, and hiking. He also served as an active member of Perinton Community Church.
The family wishes to thank friends, PCC, our ALS family, and U of R Hospice for all their prayers and support.
Memorial service will be held 4:00PM Monday, May 3rd at Perinton Community Church. We encourage you to join us via livestream at www.pcchurch.org.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Andy’s name may be made to any of these organizations:
Rochester Open Door Mission (https://opendoormission.com/give-give)
Camp Cherith of Western NY (https://campcherithwny.org/finances)
The ALS Association Upstate NY Chapter (http://webuny.alsa.org/)
Comments
25 responses to “Straw, Andrew G.”
Judy and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Andy was a fine man and a role model for me and other pALS in the ALS community. His faith and calm, fact based approach to his ALS journey was inspirational. We will miss his presence, but his example will always be with us.
God Bless.
Judy and family – So very sorry to hear of Andy’s passing. He was a true brother and gentle soul.
I’m so sad to hear about Andy’s passing. We shared our friendship and brotherhood at the University of Virginia in Pi Kappa Phi and he will be missed by all of us
Judy, Laura and Allison ~ You’ll all be in my heart and in my prayers as I “attend” Andy’s Memorial Service. Wonderful memories of Andy coming into my
Northside School class, decades ago, to ‘try out’ a new type of camera Kodak was testing…. digital!! Losing a husband and a Dad is one of the deepest sorrows a heart can feel. His Memory lives on, as a legacy of love that will always be with you. Know that LOVE surrounds you now and brings you peace.
Very sorry to hear of Andy’s passing. I first met Andy when we both coached our daughters in travel soccer. Andy was kind, calm, patient and a good listener. I learned a lot from him. The qualities that made him a good coach also made him a wonderful father and husband, and an all around great person. He will be remembered and missed by the many people whose lives he touched.
Judy and family
Here’s an anecdote about Andy. He was a year ahead of me in Pi Kapp at Virginia.
He was a 4.0 Engineering genius but he was also just all around smart and observant.
Once I was sitting with him (probably in Jim Dille’s room) and we were listening to Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London.”
There is a line in the song that goes “Little old lady got mutilated late last night.”
Andy exclaimed “Wow, that is fantastic alliteration!”
I didn’t even know what alliteration was.
He could have been anything he wanted to be. Big loss
Every time I listen to that song and hear that line I think of Andy.
Judy, I am so sorry to hear of Andy’s passing. I have many fond memories of our ALS get togethers. Andy’s attitude and approach to ALS has been an inspiration to all of us. He will be missed.
Dear Judy,
Andy was simply great. He was one of the reasons I joined and enjoyed our fraternity. I am so glad to have known him, and the two of you as a couple. It has been many years since our college days, but the admiration is lasting. I with you and your family strength.
Mark
Dear Judy, Becca, Laura, Allison & Scott,
We were so saddened to hear of Andy’s passing and the loss of your beloved husband & dad. Heaven clearly got a good one! We hope you find comfort knowing he is in the arms of God and forever in your hearts. Warmly, Bonita & Mike
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you !! You are a very special family – I am so glad I have known your family since the early 1960’s!! I remember your wedding Judy . You and Andy were so blessed to have found each other!! A wonderful life !! I am unable to attend the service today (virtually) but I am with you in spirit!!!
Much love Mary Jane Jones
My thoughts and prayers go to Judy and the rest of Andy’s family. Andy was just an all around good guy. I hope he is at peace now.
Judy and Family: We Pi Kapps grieve for and with you, though since hearing the sad news we’ve also been celebrating Andy’s immense courage, unshakeable faith, and admirable character. He had amazing self discipline, but he was very playful. He liked to compete, but was always just as happy to make the pass or the set, as to score or spike the ball himself. He did not boast, even though he could do anything. He did not judge, even though his moral compass was strong and true. He knew lots of things, but he enthusiastically greeted every day as a new adventure and opportunity to learn and grow. Though our memories are 40+ years ago, we remember our good times, and especially his devotion to you, like it was yesterday. We send hugs in hope of offering some comfort, and prayers for peace for you and your beautiful family.
Judy and Family – Our condolences on losing Andy. I remember him best from watching travel soccer games together; it was always nice to sit with calm parents, more vested in good sportsmanship and play than in seeing their own children excel. Since his diagnosis and your move to Deer Run, I have come to appreciate the great values held across your whole family, even in challenging circumstances of living with ALS.
I am sure you have a lifetime of happy memories to cherish forever ‘To live in hearts that love is not to die.’.
John & Tammy Vakiener
Judy and Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I worked with Andy at University of Rochester, He was a great man. A loss is a loss in any family but cherish the memories you have all made and Andy will forever live with you all.
Andy, a men with a gentle heart and a bright mind
Dear Judy, Becca and family-so sorry for your loss. Thinking about your and saying a prayer today
Andy Straw was one of the best software engineers I know, and I don’t say that lightly. He was great to work with, a fair and hard worker. I was better for knowing Andy. I am thankful he is with the Lord, and no longer sick. I am very sorry for your loss, and pray the Lord will give you strength and patience in dealing with this.
So sorry to hear about Andy’s passing! Andy is always ready to help, a great person to work with.
I was very fortunate to get to work with Andy, just the absolute nicest person. In our business, there is a tediousness that can beat down all but the most self-assured, not so very nice folks. Andy was a natural diamond charm in that ‘rough’. He made a big impact on me and wish I could have worked with him again.
I have now lost tow of the nicest people I have known to ALS. What does ALS have against those that brighten our world? I am so very sorry for your loss.
Add me to the list of many people who were blessed to have Andy’s light shine their way during their career. A genuinely good person whose affection for his family was readily apparent when spending time with him. Thanks for sharing him with us.
Saddened to hear of Andy’s passing. Working with Andy at Kodak on projects, I am reminded of his gentle spirit, quite and encouraging word. Few people come to mind when reminiscing. Andy is one coming to mind often. I am certain, while I am saddened for his friends and family, we will see him again.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Andy was my onboarding mentor at Paychex, and he was a talented and thoughtful person. We are all poorer for his loss, and I will remember his kindness in helping shepherd me into Paychex. Rest gently with the angels, and know that you are remembered well.
Dear Judy:
I am so saddened to hear of Andy’s passing. I know what heartache you have been through and that you will miss his warm smile forever. I really admired his courage and outlook.
Judy and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Andy’s passing. I learned of it through today’s announcement in the UofR newsletter that flags at the University will be lowered on May 18 in his memory — an honor I am sure is so rightly deserved. Working with Andy at the Fairport Soccer Club was a joy. The smiles in the pictures of Andy at the top of this page are how I will always remember Andy because whenever I saw him it was always there.
Hi Judy, I saw the UR announcement today of Andy’s passing. Marty mentioned to me about the days at Kodak when he and Andy sat side by side. Lauren wants you to know how sorry she is, as am I.