Andrew Gerard Sweeney

Andrew Gerard Sweeney (aka Andy or Beany) passed away in Oceanside, CA on August 10,

2023. He was 51 years young. Andy was born on August 30, 1971 in Clydebank, Scotland to his

Scottish father, Peter Sweeney, and his Irish mother, Kitty (Hone) Sweeney. He was the

youngest of eight children: sisters Anne Marie, Patricia, Kathleen, Brenda, and Denise and

brothers John and Peter.

Andy was brought up in a home with few luxuries, but full of love. Over the years, as partners

came along, followed by nieces and nephews, Andy became a proud uncle. They all loved their

crazy Uncle Andrew! After attending St. Eunan’s Primary School and St. Columba’s High School

in Clydebank, he went on to study Business and Economics at Paisley University. After

graduating, Andrew’s insatiable desire for travel and adventure took him off to live in India,

Australia, Berlin, and eventually the US where he settled in Boston, MA.

While settling in the US, Andy quickly made new friends, building strong bonds with people who

became his extended family. He also remained loyal and close to many of his childhood friends,

taking a keen interest in the well-being of others throughout his life. One of his friends,

Raymond Farrely, described Andy as “a larger than life person…kind, thoughtful, a great

conversationalist, someone always at the centre of whatever was going on.” Another friend,

James Cairns said, “Amidst ups and downs, Andy has had a positive effect on the world,

through his enthusiasm for conversation and humour.”

Andy had a rebellious nature and was never afraid to speak his mind or stand up for what he felt

was right. He had a keen intellect and loved a good debate, but was always willing to listen to

someone else’s perspective. He inherited his father’s stubbornness and strict sense of fairness

along with his humour and generosity of spirit. Like his father, he loved golf, as well as hiking,

soccer (especially Celtic FC), swimming, yoga, cooking, gadgets, film, photography, current

affairs, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures and traveling. Andy found escape in his

love of 80’s indie music and subculture, including bands like The Smiths, Depeche Mode, New

Order and REM, to name a few.

Andy lived life to the fullest and had a work-hard-play-hard mentality! Having worked in a variety

of jobs while studying and travelling, Andrew finally found his niche in hospitality, managing a

number of restaurants including The Haven Bar and Restaurant in Jamaica Plain, MA. It was

here that he met and married his wife Elizabeth Winner. Andrew quickly formed a deep and

loving relationship with her family: parents George and Lynn, sisters Catherine and Meredith,

and Granny Patty who welcomed him as their own.

Andrew is predeceased by his loving father, Peter and his niece, Lisa. He was – and always will

be – deeply loved by his surviving family including Elizabeth, her parents and sisters, his dearly

beloved 90-year-old mother Kitty, his brothers and sisters, brothers and sisters-in-law, 24 nieces

and nephews, 5 great nieces and nephews, his cherished dog Billy and his incredible array of

trusted and loyal friends throughout the world.

A funeral mass will be held in Scotland and a celebration of life will be held in Boston, both at a

later date.