Andre M. Colandone

Andre’ Michael Colandone, known to his friends as “Andy” died Sunday March 3rd, 2024 in the presence of his wife of 66 years, Susan, his five children Kathleen, Andrea, Michael, Traci and Erik, Michael’s wife Krystina, and his niece Pat.

Born January 2, 1931 in New York to Michael Librato and Emma Margarita Colandone - and always one to enjoy company – Andre’ had a twin sister Virginia, who preceded him to heaven as she had preceded him in birth. Known as Andy for most of his life, Andy had two more sisters, Patricia born in May 1932, and Diane born in September 1933 before the family was complete.

Andy was raised in Brooklyn, NY., attending public school P.S. 199. As the first-generation son of an immigrant father, he had a strong appreciation of the courage, hard work, and sacrifice it took to build a life in a new world. Lessons that Andre’ carried with him throughout his lifetime. While reviewing old photos and other treasures, the family discovered some old report cards from Andy’s youth. While his grades were good, they found he had consistently received “A’s” for his conduct – which surprised everyone – and we determined he must have charmed his way into his teachers hearts the way he charmed his way into ours.

After graduating High School from James Madison High School in 1949, Andre’ joined the Navy February 6, 1951 at the age of 20, as his father Michael had done before him. He served his country on the U.S.S. Chiquita and the U.S.S. McCain during the Korean War before his honorable discharge in 1955. Never one to hold back his opinion (remember the good conduct grades…) Andy ended up taking over the galley kitchen of the U.S.S. McCain (after insulting the cook). This led to increasing the efficiency and morale of the ship by providing a much better level of fare that included such delicacies as homemade cream puffs for dessert. Dad was a good cook, and would watch over the shoulder of whoever was making dinner to ensure the seasoning and flavors were “just right”. Shooing him out of the kitchen never worked, and in the end – his favorite place to stand was to lean on the edge of the counter in the kitchen surveying all that was happening.

Andy’s lifetime love of the color Blue was solidified during his Naval service in the many changing colors of the water that he would later describe to his children as the richest shades of Cobalt to the deepest shades of Azure and Sapphire. It was no wonder he fell in love with Susan’s Blue eyes.

Andre’ met Susan Teresa Flynn while she was decorating for a church dance at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Flatbush in 1955, immediately after he was discharged from his Naval service. Having that mischievous sense of humor, Andy tried to get her attention by rocking the ladder where she was perched on the top. Needless to say - it didn’t have the effect he was hoping for, and her response to him was less than encouraging. Obviously in the end, he got both her attention, and her love. They were married March 16, 1958 and spent the next 66 years building a life together. He always referred to her as his “Wild Irish Rose”, and kept a picture of her with him everywhere he went.

Andy was known for his focus towards a goal, as exemplified in his courtship of Susan, but also in his work ethic. From 1955-1958 he worked long hours as a meat cutter at the Stratford Market in New York to raise funds to attend Aviation Technical School at the same time, at the Academy of Aeronautics, at La Guardia Airport, where he was also a member of Tau Alpha Pi Honor Society.

Andy started his career as an Airframe Structural Mechanic with Republic Aviation Corporation of Long Island in 1958, then quickly on to the JFK hub of American Airlines in 1959. Andre’ increased in both technical expertise and management skills, gaining promotions quickly and the admiration of all who worked with him, and of those he worked for. Andre’ thrived when given additional responsibilities for the safety of the planes under his care (and repair).

Andre’ never saw the planes as pieces of metal. He knew they carried families and loved ones. He took responsibility to ensure that anything (and by default anyone) under his sphere of influence was safe. He was a guardian in the truest sense. That instinct led to promotions that eventually landed the family in California to LAX in 1964, to Station Manager for the American Airlines territory of San Jose, California thru Seattle, Washington, until his retirement in 1997.

Between 1958 and 1964, Sue and Andy saw 4 of their 5 children arrive, when a career opportunity was presented that “landed” (pun intended) the family in California. American Airlines had moved the hub for the DC9 to LAX, and Andy followed as the Technical Foreman. The newly transported family found support in a tight group of friendships that developed in the apartment building they rented in Lomita. Several of those friendships have lasted a lifetime, and exist to this day. The family moved to a Simi Valley in 1967 where Andy and Sue purchased their first home for their family of 6. Sue maintained the home, while Andy drove to and from LAX airport through a mountain pass road daily on his 116 mile roundtrip. The addition of Erik to the family in 1969 increased the household to 7, and the family was complete. After the move to a slightly larger home in Simi, Sue and Andy watched their children and community grow up. Their roots deepened when some of their Lomita family joined them in Simi.

Then another change came when Andy was transferred to San Jose in 1988 as the American Airlines Station Manager for the territory of San Jose/San Francisco, California thru Seattle, Washington - where he remained until his retirement in 1997. His long and varied career included working on the MAC (Military Air Command) planes in Da Nang during the Vietnam War, the Space Shuttle project, and his expertise was enlisted to aid in recovery missions for planes that had failed, to make sure those issues were never duplicated again.

Andy having recently celebrated his 93rd birthday, lived independently in the home he and his bride Susie had created in Henderson, Nevada after relocating from the Bay area in 1998. His children remember him as a man of deep faith. He and Sue centered their family’s lives around the church. Andy joined the Knights of Columbus on April 1, 1956, participating in councils in New York, California, and in Henderson at St. Francis, achieving the rank of 4th Degree. He fully supported and represented the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism that the Knights represent. Principles he instilled in his children and applied to his life.

Andy loved his family. He was very proud of his wife, and the five children he and Susie raised. His children love him deeply, and he will be missed for the rest of our lives. In addition to Susie and all five of his children, Andy is survived by: his two sisters Patricia and Diane, who continue to reside on the east coast, Kevin Johnstone husband of Kathleen, and their two children Kyle and Amanda, and Kyle’s children Rocky and Lucky. Danny Cimino, husband of Andrea, and their son Sam, his wife Olivia, and Sam’s son Enzo. Krystina Colandone wife of Michael, and their son Andre’ – aka “lil’ Andy” (Andy’s namesake) and his wife Samantha. Jay Cleveland, husband of Traci. Amber Colandone, wife of Erik and their children Anthony and Adriana aka “Sis”, as well as long list of nieces and nephews on both sides of the family tree, who are too numerous to mention but are embraced and were held their entire lifetime in his heart. There are also “adopted family members” who were loved and sheltered along the way. You know who you are – and we continue to include you in the “family” tree, even if you had other earthly parents to love you too.

Andy’s Memorial Service will be held 10:00 AM Friday April 12, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church located at 2300 Sunridge Heights Parkway, Henderson, NV 89052.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to: livelikechris.org on behalf of his nephew Christopher Flynn Tucci who left us all much, much too soon.