Andrew P Spadafore

Andy was born on August 7, 1930, and passed away on May 21, 2023. Andy was preceded in death by his loving wife Joan on November 2, 2013; his parents Charles and Virginia Spadafore; his brother Michael; and his sisters Rose Paradise, Teresa Seely, Mary Spadafore, and Charlene Spadafore Vassar. Surviving Andy’s passing is his daughter Ginger (Dick) Carrigan; his three sons, Chuck and Jeanne Spadafore, Mike and Nancy Spadafore, and Nick Spadafore. Andy is also survived by his 14 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews, Andy is also survived by his brother, Peter Spadafore, who resides in Florida.

Andy was born above the family grocery store located on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Clemens Street in Lansing, Michigan. Andy attended Resurrection Catholic Church and School along with his brothers and sisters. He fondly remembered Monsignor John. A. Gabriels at Resurrection for his mentorship during the younger years of his life and in turn Andy always supported Monsignor Gabriels and all of his priorities in the greater Lansing community, especially the Father John’s Fund for Needy Children.

While growing up, Andy helped his father operate “Charle’s Fine Foods,” the family grocery and butcher shop store. On June 28, 1948, when Andy was 18 years old, he married his high school sweetheart Joan Yvonne Sabrosky and they began raising a family. A few years later, after Andy’s father passed away, he moved the family store a little further east on the same block of East Michigan Avenue closer to Fairview Street. He converted the fresh cut meat butcher shop/grocery store into a party store selling packaged coldcut meats only and staple grocery items, putting more emphasis on selling beer, wine, liquor, pop, and snack items.

Andy learned early on as a retailer the importance of marketing, displaying and the turning of inventory quickly. His efforts and his retail success gained him the respect and admiration from his peers and suppliers in the business community. In 1957, one of Andy’s vendors from the Falstaff brewing Company approached him and informed him that a beer wholesalership was up for sale and he encouraged Andy to possibly pursue this opportunity. After careful thought to better himself and his family, Andy took the chance and purchased the beer wholesaler’s business and created his own Spadafore Distributing Company. After a few changes in the beer industry and flux in the marketplace, Andy’s chance paid off and his wholesale company became very successful. Over the years his company wholesaled many popular products such as Pabst Blue Ribbon, St. Julian Wines and Juices, Almaden and C K Mondavi Wines, Jose Cuervo Tequila, Master Mixes, Lacroix Waters, Snapple Pop and Juices, Barrel O’Fun Snacks just to name a few.

During his years of wholesaling Andy also took a keen interest in the real estate industry developing and building a sustainable real estate portfolio.

In general, Andy loved the business world and loved to talk business with anyone. Andy always talked about keeping business simple, always stressing the virtues of hardwork and common sense to become successful and as many of you know he would always emphasize the commonsense virtue.

Although Andy’s business career was considered to be extremely successful, he took immense pride and joy and considered his family and his relationships with others to be his biggest and best success story. Andy was a people person without a doubt and always enjoyed speaking and interacting with many people from all walks of life. Andy would continually comment on how lucky he had been that he was blessed with such a wonderful family and his many friends. He would often thank God for his relationships and successes in his life no matter how big or small.

Since the mid-fifties Andy greatly enjoyed boating especially on Lake Michigan and treasured all the blue boy boating experiences and memories that he and his wife Joan shared with family and friends over in Holland on Lake Macatawa.

All in all, I think Andy would have liked to have been remembered as one who gained respect from those who knew him and in turn gave respect, treating everyone with kindness and fairness. He also wanted mostly to be remembered as a good son, husband, father, and a great gramps. I’m sure Andy is reacquainting himself with his wife Joan, his parents, and all the rest, cruising calm waters on Lake Heaven in a brand-new Flying Bridge Blue Boy. Rest in peace Dad.

The family would like to express its sincere appreciation to the team at Hospice of Holland for their professionalism and compassionate care during the later stage of Andy’s life.

The family will kindly welcome all those wishing to commemorate Andy’s passing with a visitation taking place on Thursday, May 25th, 2023, from 6:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. with rosary being recited at 7:30 P.M. at Resurrection Church, 1517 East Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48912.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 26th, 2023, at 1:00 PM, at the Church of the Resurrection with visitation one hour prior to the mass.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be in the memory of Andy to: Resurrection School, 1527 East Michigan Ave. Lansing, MI 48912 or Lansing Catholic Central High School, 501 N. Marshall St. Lansing, Michigan 48912 or St. Vincent’s Catholic Charities, 2800 Willow St. Lansing, Michigan 48917.

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing, Michigan, 48823.