Andy was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Patricia Louise Bond, and his great-grandparents, Harold and Louise Semones. Left to cherish his memory are his loving parents, Karen Bond Alferi and Steven Alferi; his father, Gavin Coriell; his sisters, Jennifer Coriell Stover (husband, Chad Stover), Louanne Coriell Bergman (husband, David Bergman), and his four adoring nieces and nephews, Maryn Maloon, Jack Maloon, Creighton Bergman, and Charlise Bergman, the love of his life, Shane Overfield, his grandfather, Charles Bond, his equine soulmate, Darkstar Dressage’s Parker, his service dogs Brutus and Bristol, and many close friends who Andy thought of as family.
Andy was born on July 15, 1978, in Portsmouth, Ohio, to Karen Bond Alferi and Gavin Glenn Coriell. After Andy graduated from Pickerington High School in 1997, he obtained a degree in Graphic Design from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
His lifelong love of horses and horse training, however, guided Andy through much of his life. Andy won the first of many Blue Ribbons at 10-years-old, becoming our family’s “Blue Boy.” Andy competed as a Junior Olympian in Dressage then as a professional, winning numerous world equine honors over a decade. He then retired from showing to become a horse trainer for most of his adult life, where he positively impacted so many lives throughout the close-knit community of the equine world by both training horses and teaching riding.
Andy was a well-known practical joker whose laugh was as infectious as his smile. He had a generous heart of gold and never hesitated to help somebody out who was in need. Because he was a big kid at heart, his nieces and nephews adored him, as well as every child who he ever taught to ride a horse. He was known for his ability to walk into a room and light it up by just being present. He loved Christmas almost as much as he loved his family, maybe more on some days.
To have known Andy is to have laughed with or to have shared a kind (or wittily sarcastic) word with him, whether you were a close friend or a stranger. Being humbly social was a special gift upon which Andy was bestowed; those around him were drawn to his infectious and ebullient personality. Andy was a wonderful, loving sibling - both little brother and big - who often acted as a surrogate parent to his nieces and nephews. Selflessness and generosity were two traits that highlighted Andy’s life and spirit. Andy touched the lives of so many people in his short time on this earth; he was able to accomplish much before his untimely passing.
Andy was a resilient figure in the face of much adversity that he faced throughout his tragically shortened life. He never gave up in his fight for equality for the LGBTQ community and for those who are touched by mental illness. He had a disarming smile that could put anyone at ease; from newborns to the elderly, everyone was drawn to Andy and everyone became his friend. His sense of humor was second to none and he was filled with as much compassion as he was humor. Even during the last months of his life, Andy battled back from sadness, anger, and depression to find the silver lining in every situation and to keep pushing forward. Andy was so special to everyone who loved him - he represented the good that we all need every day in our lives. Andy was one of the special few who could rise to meet every new challenge with a smile and a quiet determination to overcome whatever stood in his way. We are proud to be able to call Andy our son, our brother, our uncle, our shining star. His spirit and his love of his family and his horses is one in one, because one in a billion is not enough to celebrate how special he was to each of us. Andy loved fiercely and deeply, and we take comfort in knowing that he is now at peace, surrounded by the brightest stars that we are sure he is lighting on fire.
A private memorial by his chosen family and friends and a Celebration of Life will be held in Andy’s honor on July 16, 2022. As we send our lanterns and love for a life well lived into the sky at 10 pm, EDT, that evening, we ask that those who loved him take a moment to remember him with us at that time.
Rest well, our sweet Blue Boy. Rest well.
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