OBITUARY

Andrew Peter Helene

November 10, 1960 – December 17, 2020

Andrew Peter Helene November 10, 1960 – December 17, 2020 It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of our brother, friend and colleague Andrew Peter Helene, who passed away suddenly on December 17, 2020. Drew, as we all knew him, was born in Seneca Falls, New York on November 10, 1960, the first child of Margaret (Stone) and William Burr Helene.

Drew was an avid learner from an early age, ultimately earning his Bachelor’s degree at Williams College, an MBA in Finance at Columbia, and additional studies at The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Drew worked in banking in New York and Boston for most of his career.

Among family, friends and work colleagues, Drew was known as a loyal, generous friend with a fast mind, occasional irreverence, encyclopedic knowledge, and a soft spot for practical jokes. He had a contagious laugh which was a benefit to others who might not have gotten the jokes as quickly as he would. Drew was especially beloved by his extensive Williams family of friends, whom he won over one by one and en masse through eccentricity, daiquiris, and an unfiltered brilliance that none of us will forget.

Drew loved reading history, memoirs and biographies, and had compiled an extensive library. Drew was an eager traveler, frequently touring museums, castles, galleries, and restaurants across America and Europe. His love of food meant many wonderful meals at tables packed with friends, from Rolf’s and Florent in New York City, to Taillevent in Paris, and Ciro & Sal’s in Provincetown.

Drew lived in Manhattan for much of his life but in recent years resided in Brewster, Massachusetts where he was a frequent host of many friends from around the world. He loved spending time at The Mill Reef Club in Antigua, where he frequently hosted friends and family.

Aside from intellectual and cultural pursuits, Drew might occasionally play golf, and was a member at the Eastward Ho! Club in Chatham, Massachusetts. Any perceived athletic shortcomings were handily offset with an ability to beat nearly anyone at Scrabble, Risk, Monopoly or Chess, effectively “curing” at least one sibling from ever again playing board games.

Drew is survived by his fiancé, João Garcia of Brazil, siblings Margaret Ann Metzler of Mendham, NJ and William Stone Helene of Cheshire, CT, nieces Lucy Grace Helene, Emily Metzler, nephew William Metzler and Godson Charles Exley of California. Drew was predeceased by his beloved parents and his niece, Julia Grace Metzler. Those wishing to leave a charitable gift in Drew’s memory are encouraged to donate to Mass Humanities of Northampton, Massachusetts or The Clark of Williamstown, Massachusetts.

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Pamela Foss

January 18, 2021

When Charlie and I learned of Drew's death it seemed unreal. He was too young and looking forward to so much. He was in love with and proud of Joao, who he referred to as his "honey". Drew was fun to be with. He enlivened many Orleans Tonset Cove parties. He was unique, enjoyed his friends, and will be missed. To his family and his close college friends who he adored, we send our sympathy.

Andrée Corroon

January 10, 2021

A funnier, smarter, kinder man was hard to find.

Jamie Lewis

January 2, 2021

Drew was a beloved colleague at Citizens Bank for the obvious reasons so many others have shared.  Without a doubt he was a contender for The World's Most Interesting Man and he was no more than two degrees separated from the entire planet. He lit up any room with his presence.  I will miss him.

Geoff Mamlet

December 27, 2020

Drew was a force for laughter and joy in the world. We graduated together from college and would bump into each other here and there around Boston. He would always find a way to bring laughter into the room. That was his gift. I will miss him!

Cindy Smith Sandy Fitzgerald

December 26, 2020

We are so saddened by the unexpected loss of our neighbor, Drew. His trademark smile, quick and quirky wit will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and particularly to Joao.

Maryna Hrushetska

December 25, 2020

So sorry to read the effervescent Drew Helene has passed. We recently reconnected after 20 years. We worked together at ABN AMRO in the 1990s. I was a young associate working with a pool of VP's, none who had the intellectual curiosity ( or wicked sense of humor) Drew possessed naturally. He teased me ferociously about my love of "earth tones" and my romantic idealism, but our encounters always left me with a hearty chuckle. I was so hoping to see him in the Cape next summer. Bon voyage, Mr. Drew., you left a mark. Condolences to his family and loved ones.

João Garcia

December 24, 2020

He was not just my companion for me, he was someone who marked my life in such an intense way that it is being very difficult for me to write this text, because many tears come down my face at that moment and I feel such a tight grip, like a pain in my heart like I never felt in my life, I know that if he were here, he would hug me tight and try to find a way to make me smile, so he wouldn't see me crying.
He loved me like I was never loved in my life, he was a partner like I never had, he was like a father, who took care of me every day, companion, who cared about me from the time I woke up until the hour he would sleep in, it was my Porto Seguro, he always gave me love and affection, and made it very clear that he loved me for who I am, he loved me even when I was fat and thinking I was ugly, depressed with myself, because for him that it didn't matter, he said he loved me for my intelligence, and for my integrity, he said that I was one of the smartest people he knew, he was a great friend, we were accomplices, who could always count on him for everything, he never it made me sad, he always managed to make me laugh, it was one of the characteristics that made me love him so much, he was always happy, happy, smiling, he liked to tell jokes and see joy in people and whenever we were together it was like a dream, we lived very interesting moments In us and unforgettable, he brought my life and my happiness back, and in one of the moments when I found myself most sad and with no reason to live, he loved me and was always by my side giving me strength and always believed in me. He allowed me to meet wonderful places and people who are now part of my cycle of friendships, he taught me many things, many things about life, and about true love, he liked to help everyone, he wanted everyone to be happy, he had an immense and kind heart, he was like an angel of God. We had so many plans and projects together, and today I don't have my honey anymore, 😢

Andrew Maloney

December 23, 2020

My condolences to Drew’s family and his many friends. Drew and I worked at RBS Citizens on a team serving private equity and investment management firms. He was introduced by a recruiter as unquestionably smart, intellectually curious, a little quirky with a wonderful sense of humor and a playful personality. We loved him and are sad to hear of his passing.

Mark Ranslem

December 22, 2020

I have so many great memories of Drew that flood my thoughts throughout the day. I miss him terribly and can’t believe I’ll never hear his voice, his laugh, or see him again. He was such a big and constant presence in my life for well over a decade. One of the best and most reliable friends ever. At his 50th birthday party dinner at Eastward Ho! Country Club, someone— maybe Drew— asked if I would say a few words. Everyone there was jovial and lighthearted. I began to speak and started to break down. I wanted to thank Drew for his friendship, but I just couldn’t get the words out. He knew he was a special friend and dear friend to me even though words failed me. I’ll make a toast to you at New Year’s. I’ll probably break down then too. Rest In Peace, my friend.

Edie Hamilton

December 22, 2020

My heartfelt sympathy goes to Bill, Margaret and his beloved fiancé, Joao and their families. Drew was a kind, gentle, intelligent and extremely hilarious man. He will be missed at Eastward Ho! and everywhere he ventured on Cape Cod. He shared his amazing trips around the world with many of us on Facebook. I will always remember helping his mother pack up a lifetime of memories to spend her final months in New Jersey. Drew was especially delighted to get his parents’ “ Egg”, a massive and extremely heavy outdoor grill. I can’t remember how we ever managed to get it to Brewster from Orleans. His mother was so delighted with how comfortable he had made his nest there. She will be fondly remembered as “Avis”, a coined name from Drew. She finished second in a few championship golf matches and thus number two, not Hertz.
Drew was always perfectly dressed for the occasion and conservative yet colorful. We shared political views and oh how he made me laugh. His wit was so quick and sharp and he always had welcomed commentaries on most any subject. We will miss this gentleman and are grateful to have known him.