Andy Jacob Molina

Andy Jacob Molina, age 9, of Middleburg, Florida passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Jacksonville, FL and will be dearly missed by his entire family.

Andy was born a miracle. He was discharged as a healthy baby two days after he was born, only later to be rushed to Wolfson's Children's Hospital in critical condition. There, he was instantly diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) which is a Congenital Heart Defect where the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped and nonfunctioning. He needed to undergo three major open-heart surgeries to repair the heart to function solely on the right side as a single ventricle heart. Andy became fighting for his life at 11 days old with his first open heart surgery and again at 6 months old and 5 years old. He has endured many other major procedures within his short life. He is an extremely strong boy and his family is so proud of him!

Andy just completed the 2nd grade with AB Honor Roll the entire year. He was an outstanding student and a great friend to all. He prided himself in his accomplishments and thrived to achieve his very best. Andy has always been extremely shy with an enormous amount of anxiety. He loved to participate in all activities but was always worried beforehand. These past two years, he was really starting to break out of his shell. Andy loved to play video games! He wanted to become a YouTuber when he got older. He loved to play at parks and loved to go swimming especially at his grandparents' house with his brothers and cousins. He was always ready for the next fun event! Chuck E. Cheese, trampoline park, bounce houses, etc. We loved to go do fun things! He was very big into both Avengers and DC comics. The Hulk, Thor, and Iron Man were some of his favorites. As he grew older, he got into Sonic and Mario Bros. He played the games and watched the movies along with wanting any and all things of those two. Andy also had the biggest sweet tooth for all things candy! Andy was full of life! He has always been a sweet boy with a heart of gold! He loved to help others. He loved his family fiercely! His older brother, Eli who he looked up to, his younger brother Alex who he couldn't wait to play and teach him "high five", his daddy who both had such a silly playful bond like no other and his mommy who he loved to snuggle. We will miss him for eternity and wish that his name lives on as his spirit will always be a part of us! We want to continue to live life the way Andy did! Your family loves you beyond compare and we're so proud of you, Andy Jacob Molina! You are our heart hero and warrior!

H.E.A.R.T

H. is for the HERO you are to all of us

E. is for the EXCITEMENT you bring to us all

It's been a joy watching you grow since the day you could crawl

A. is for how AWESOME of a kid you are

Look up to the sky and you're the brightest shining star

R. is for the RISK you take every single day

By doing something so simple like going outside to play

T. is for all the TRAUMA that you've been through

From all the surgeries the doctors performed on you

Your name A.N.D.Y stands for:

Avengers

Never

Die

Young

Andy is survived by his parents: Josue Molina and Katie O'Brien; brothers: Elijah Molina and Alex Molina;

sister: Alysha Molina; great-grandma, Mary McHale; grandparents: Barbara O'Brien, Terrence O'Brien and Patricia Velez Macias; uncles: Troy O'Brien (wife Heather O'Brien), Shane O'Brien (wife Candi O'Brien) and Carlos Molina; aunts: Damaris Williams (husband Wes Williams) and Miriam Molina; cousins: Caroline O'Brien, Sarah O'Brien, Emily O'Brien, Makalya O'Brien, Joclynn O'Brien, Leland O'Brien, Carlos Molina, Caleb Molina, Jamal Prejean Jr. (wife Izabelle Prejean) and Joel Prejean (wife Ashley Prejean); pets: Big G, Andy's dog and Beardy, the Bearded dragon.

Memorial services will be held 10 AM, Saturday, July 1, 2023 at Hardage-Giddens Rivermead Funeral Home, 127 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, FL 32073.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hardage-giddensrivermead.com