A MESSAGE FROM THE FAMILY

Papou July 10th 1925 ~ August 15th 2022 There is so much to be said about my grandfather Robert J Andrews and his legacy. We know him as a beloved educator to generations of art students from Elementary School through High School and at Mass College of Art. He was a trained Navy fighter pilot during WW2. A world renowned Byzantine Iconographer, a friend and mentor to so many and a dedicated family man. I would like to share how I knew my Papou in my life. Papou had many great joys in his 97 years. They included his wife, Ann, my YiaYia. They’re were fortunate to be married for 70 plus years. He especially enjoyed her cooking, because she was the woman who put the love in every meal, snack or glass of lemonade. Everything tasted more magical when YiaYia made it. Pap enjoyed apple pie, the stinkiest Greek cheese he could find at the market and was a firm believer in a loaf of bread at the breakfast table. Pap enjoyed sports and more specifically, the Boston Celtics. Watching a game with Papou felt as though he was out there on the court….coaching, hitting free throws or swishing the three point shot at the buzzer. He took both wins and losses quite personally. Pap enjoyed pool days with all of the kids. He taught three generations how to swim, dive and made us feel like we were destined for the Olympic high-dive team. Pap’s other joy came in the form of an unofficial Driver’s Ed Teacher. While others may have been clawing the door handles or stomping the imaginary break on the passenger side floor, he remained patient and encouraging. We all learned to drive with Pap……so when mis-haps happened we would jokingly blame him. Even my son, Zac took Pap on his first ride the day he got his license. My Papou took joy in the simple things. The birds at the feeder, a “good HOT cup of coffee”, admiring any form of art, be it in nature or created by a human, my mother’s hot fudge and cream puffs or a card from a friend in the mail. He indulged me in my early 3rd grade attempts at poetry and truly believed I was a literary genius. It was always the most simple pleasures that would light his eyes with joy. Of all the times we spoke on the phone, or sat together after a family dinner, or just had a brief chat over a cup of coffee, Pap made it abundantly clear that his greatest joy was his “beautiful family”. He would always say “ I give your YiaYia all the credit for being the backbone of this family”. But my Papou was part of that backbone in a big way. They were quite a team raising this family. Papou wore many hats. He was a provider, a confidant and the patriarch to a dynamic, eclectic, multigenerational Greek family. He was a husband to Ann, my YiaYia. The father to my uncles Jay and TIm and to my mother Alexis. He was a grandfather to my brother Luke and to me. And if that hadn’t been enough to fill his time, he then poured himself into his great grandchildren, Melanie, Zachary and Keaton. He attended school art exhibits, dance recitals, band performances, baseball and sporting events, award ceremonies….for as long as his body physically allowed him to do so. He spent hours reading homework assignments, essays and discussing achievements and challenges in every-day student life at all levels. He was a teacher by profession and also by nature. We called my Papou “the Miracle Worker” and what that really meant was that he was the ONE person who could find solutions to most anything his family needed to sort out. This was in times of illness, crisis or if one of us just lost our way. He was not just the miracle worker, he was the king of second, third and fourth chances. He would say, “that’s what life is about. Family is #1” and he lived his life that way, as did my YiaYia. I will forever remember my Papou taking me to a little clothing boutique called “Rye’s” when he would return from a work trip. It was the highlight of my summer. It would be just the two of us. We would shop for a few new outfits then have lunch and plan my fashion show for YiaYia and my mother by the pool. This started when I was going into Kindergarten and I swear if the shop had still been open and carried my size, we’d have been going well into my adult years. I was special to him. I know that. I was fortunate. And he had the ability to make every one of us feel like his absolute favorite. Some things that Pap did not enjoy: Card games of any kind. He preferred to watch the shenanigans of the entire competitive family gathered around the table, laughing and having playful banter and he’d say “Geez, it’s the Loud Family”. Pap also did not like having dietary restrictions being a lover of pastries, salty Greek cheeses, bacon, eggs, loads of bread, ice cream and excess maple syrup on stacks of pancakes. Being a diabetic really cramped his style. Pap did not like forceful telemarketers and would tell them where to go. Pap did not like improper grammar. Pap did not like crass stories over a beautifully prepared meal and would loudly comment “come on, you people!!” But most of all, Papou positively detested anybody mistreating or disrespecting any of us. In addition to being the miracle worker and 2nd chance believer, he was a fierce defender like no other. I am quite certain there were times I didn’t deserve it but I couldn’t help but revel in his protective ways. Papou had an extremely strong will to live. As did my YiaYia. They often said, “we have so much more to live for to be here with the kids”. Some people just say they want to live forever, but my grandparents truly meant it. I take comfort in knowing that Papou has been reunited with my YiaYia and their son, (my uncle) Jay, as well as parents and siblings, nieces and nephews that he made his priority to keep alive through memories and sharing many stories all of these years. Papou will be able to have all the feta cheese and pastries that Heaven has to offer. He will be diving into pools, horseback riding and driving his car (look out up there!)…..but all without pain. Pap will once again have YiaYia’s pink lipstick marks on his check as they Jitterbug. I will forever hold my Papou close to my heart and do my very best to carry on traditions and emulate his love and belief in family.

OBITUARY

Robert John Andrews

July 10, 1925 – August 15, 2022

IN THE CARE OF

Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home

Robert J. Andrews

July 10,1925 - August 15,2022

Pembroke,Ma.

Robert J. Andrews passed away peacefully with family at his side on Monday, August 15th, 2022.

Bob was recognized for his successful teaching career spanning 38 years in the Massachusetts Public School system. He was a skilled artist who found much joy in teaching and supervising art programs in numerous schools and various levels. Beginning his teaching career in Plymouth Elementary Schools and on to Silver Lake High School, Lincoln Sudbury High and Newton South High School and MassArt. Notably, he spent twenty two years in Newton teaching courses titled clay, metal fiber, pottery, jewelry making and weaving, where the students intently sought out his courses due to him and his course popularity. Bob was loved and admired by his students and peers for his talent and interest in others. He was considered an inspiration to all whose lives he touched and Bob never felt that anyone was lacking in talent which in turn created many self-confident students and friends.

As a young man, Bob joined the Navy and was a trained fighter pilot. His love and interest in flight never dwindled through the years.

After the Navy, Bob was a student as MassArt (Mass College of Art) where he received his degree and went on to teach.

While still a young man, Bob’s talents went beyond teaching. In addition to his outstanding accomplishments in his teachings and contributions to the art community, he began a second career in mosaic iconography, reviving the Byzantine style in the United States. He was self-taught through years of research and devotion to the Greek Orthodox Church. His mosaic icons adorn churches across the country located at 43 sites including 38 churches in U.S., Canada and London. A most impressive piece of work is a 3,400 square foot mosaic dome depicting Christ at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in San Francisco. Another considered masterpiece gem is the Transfiguration Church in Lowell, Ma., an over 40 year project covering the majority of the interior of the church in mosaic icons.

Bob enjoyed music, all forms of art, nature, family pets, aviation, sports (especially a Celtics game , where no one was allowed to talk in the room while playing); most of all his family, who adored him.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of seventy two years, Ann Andrews and their son, John Jay Andrews.

He is survived by his daughter, Alexis Andrews (and her husband, Robert Rusznak). A son, Timothy Andrews.

Grandfather of Eve Elliott (and her husband, Scott Elliott). Luke Liberty (and his wife, Michelle Liberty). Great Grandfather of Melanie Ann, Zachary Jay and Keaton Boston. And uncle to many much-loved nieces and nephews.

To view Robert’s website please view his works at www.rjaicons.com

In lieu of flowers a donation to Mass College of Art in Robert’s name at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/f2fnBQ?vid=tjb4i

Services will be private.

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