Andrew Louis Koches

Known as Andy, he was born to parents Andrew and Ann Koches on January 31, 1929 in Luzerne, Pennsylvania, and moved to New York City when he was 11. In 1949, Andy married his high school sweetheart Dorothy Ciringione. They made their first home together in Jackson Heights, Queens, and would have three children.

In 1966, the Koches family relocated to Old Saybrook where Andy founded Ultra Tech Corporation, a tool and die manufacturing shop which he owned and operated for 11 years. Andy brought creativity to his work, having been awarded two U.S. Patents for mechanical inventions, as well as a sense of social responsibility, providing training and mentoring for struggling young men looking for employment. He served on Old Saybrook’s Planning Commission and Ambulance Association Board. In later years, Andy was a member of the Westbrook Elks Club and also provided home-care assistance to those in need through Companions and Homemakers.

Andy enjoyed the local theater scene, bicycling along the beach and baking homemade biscotti. He was an avid Scrabble player and excelled in ten-pin bowling and ping pong. In 1999, Andy won the gold medal in the Senior Olympic Ping Pong Championship for the State of Connecticut.

Andy’s kind and gentle heart touched everyone. He also had a playful sense of humor. Most of all Andy will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He is survived by his two sons and daughters-in-law Paul and Lisa Koches of Washington DC and Brian and Susan Koches of Baltimore, Maryland, daughter Ellen Koches of Washington, Maine, grandchildren Emily, Samantha, Ryan, Claire and Quinn, nieces Patricia Orr and Jane Tucci, nephew Thomas Mulvey, and several grandnieces and grandnephews. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Dorothy Koches.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 11th from 4 to 7 pm, with a memorial service at 6 pm, at Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook. Burial will take place on Saturday, December 12th at 11 am at Resurrection Cemetery on Horse Hill Road (Route 145) in Westbrook.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to:

Old Saybrook Ambulance Association

316 Main Street

Old Saybrook, CT 06475

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The Ray Dobratz Fund

Elks Lodge 1784

142 Seaside Avenue

Westbrook, CT 06498