Gary D'Andrea

Gary D'Andrea passed away July 21st 2017; beloved husband of Dahlia D'Andrea; loving father of Steven, Annemarie (Jeff) Beach; loving Pop Pop of James & Jordan Steward. Friends may call Wednesday 12 -2 pm at the Dengler Roberts Perna Funeral Home 8630 Transit Rd., East Amherst NY. ( one mile north of Maple Rd. just past Klein Rd.) where funeral services will follow the visitation at 2pm. Flowers gratefully declined, memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105. www.denglerrobertspernafuneral.com

Gary D’Andrea’s Story

Gary would say that his life began the day he met the woman who one day soon thereafter would become his wife. Gary and Dahlia met in 1967. They were both eighteen years old. One night while Gary was on leave from the Navy, he met Dahlia at his mother’s apartment, where they were only supposed to have dinner. But it did not end there. After dinner, Gary and Dahlia went for a long walk and ended up on a bench in front of Gary’s apartment. It was at that time that Gary asked Dahlia to marry him – truly love at first sight.

After that fateful night, Gary and Dahlia were always together. Even though Dahlia did not agree to marry Gary the night he proposed, they did get engaged shortly after the night they met. Gary had to return to active duty, but they continued to date for about one year.

One night while on leave, Gary and Dahlia attended a friend’s wedding. It was at that point that Gary refused to return to active duty until he and Dahlia were married. Needless to say, they exchanged wedding vows on October 29, 1968.

Gary was then able to return to active duty. Upon his return, Gary’s commanding officer asked him why he left base, and Gary advised the officer that he refused to return until he got married. He was soon thereafter deployed to Vietnam, where he served his remaining nine months of active duty.

Upon his return to the United States, Gary began his career at Consolidated Edison, the major utility company for the New York City Metropolitan area. During the next forty years, he worked his way up the corporate ladder to become a Human Resource Specialist. Gary was well loved and respected by his colleagues and the friends he made during his time at Con Edison.

Gary was a true family man and he devoted his life to Dahlia and his two children, Steven and Annemarie. However, once his children became adults and left home to lead their own lives, Gary and Dahlia began the next phase of their lives together. They started traveling the world and took cruises to the Caribbean, Europe, Central America, Canada, Hawaii and the South Pacific. They lived their lives to the fullest and enjoyed every minute of their time together.

After Gary retired from Con Edison, he spent the next four years once again devoting his life to his family, especially his two grandchildren, James and Jordan. Gary became a huge presence in his grand children’s lives. He helped coach James’ baseball team and would never miss one of James’ baseball games or Jordan’s soccer games. He loved spending time with his grandchildren.

In 2014, Gary and Dahlia decided that they wanted to live the rest of their retirement in Florida. They purchased a beautiful home in Naples, which Gary loved to refer to as “paradise”.

Dahlia’s Memories of Gary

Nobody made me laugh like Gary. Even towards the end of his life, he would do everything to make me laugh and put a smile on my face. He would even make jokes at his own expense as long as it made me laugh.

One of my fondest memories was of our 45th wedding anniversary. We took a cruise to the Island of Kawaii, Hawaii. We ended up renewing our wedding vows in a beautiful Hawaiian ceremony. We were both very emotional. Gary also surprised me with a gorgeous diamond necklace and it took my breath away.

I also love the time I took Gary to Mexico for his 50th birthday. I gave him the choice of having a big party or a trip to Mexico. Of course he wanted to go to Mexico – just the two of us. After our vacation, Gary told said to me, “this was the best birthday of my life.”

Not too long ago, I good friend of said to me, “If someone asked me to describe true love, I would say, without hesitation, it is what you and Gary have.” She is right. I’ve known and loved Gary for all of my life

Annemarie’s Memories of Gary

My best memories of my dad have the same theme – how he has always been there for me, no matter the cost.

When I was sixteen years old, I found out that I needed braces. I was devastated that I would have a mouth full of metal during my last two years of high school and part of college. One day, before I had my braces put on, I called Dad at work, begging and crying, for him to let me get clear cosmetic braces so that they would not be so obvious. They were more expensive then traditional braces, but of course Dad said yes.

All throughout high school, I was devoted to playing the violin. So much so that I ended up getting a personal violin trainer who lived about an hour away from our home. Dad, being the devoted father, drove me to lessons every week and would sit in the car for an hour while I had my lesson.

During my senior year of high school, my dad entered me in a college scholarship contest at Con Edison. I did not know about it until he came home one day and told me that I won a scholarship. We went to a beautiful luncheon where I was awarded my scholarship, and I will never forget how proud he was of me. This is the kind of father my dad was, always rooting for his children in any way he could.

Steven’s Memories of Gary

I remember one night when I was in high school, I was late coming home. Dad went out looking for me because he was worried about me. Later, when I came home, he told me that he went looking for me at the school yard but I told him I wasn’t there because that is where all the junkies would hang out. After that, he felt secure that I would not get into trouble because of what I had told him.

Dad always supported my decision to pursue a career in music. He would tell me that my happiness is what matters, but that I should always make sure to do my best.

James’s Memories of Gary

When I was a baby, Nanny and Pop Pop would take care of me once every week while my mom was at work. I would get to sleep over their house. My mom told me that as soon as I got their house, Pop Pop would take me to his computer room and we would play on the computer together. Pop Pop would play Beatles music and I would dance. Pop Pop told me that I learned the work “Google” from playing on the computer with him.

Pop Pop has always been one of my biggest fans. He would always tell me that I have the ability to do whatever I want in life. He helped my dad coach my baseball team one year and he went to all of my games.

Jordan’s Memories of Gary

I always liked watching Pop Pop cook. He was the best cook. He would always offer to teach me how to cook. One day he taught me how to make pizza dough. My favorite part was getting to knead the dough. Pop Pop was always very patient with me.

One time, while my mom and dad where on vacation and Pop Pop was watching me and James, I made a huge mess in the kitchen. I was working on a project and I got glitter all over the kitchen. Guess who cleaned up my mess – Pop Pop.

My mom showed Pop Pop how to straighten my hair with a flat iron. It was funny watching him try to style my hair. His hands would shake because he was nervous that he would burn me, but he did a good job.

Jeff’s Memories of Gary

To me, Pop Pop (yes, that’s what I called him), was the most giving man in the world. He would always put everyone before himself. He was the greatest provider for his family and he loved to share his wisdom with others.

One of my favorite memories was the day I took Pop Pop to the first ever Ice Bowl. It was freezing that day. We didn’t eat at the game because we were supposed to have a big dinner at home. We ended up getting stuck in traffic for at least an hour, and we got so hungry that we would eat mints that Pop Pop had in his glove compartment. What a great day that was.