Robert E. Andrews

Robert E. Andrews, 95 of Southington, CT died peacefully, on Feb. 7, 2013. He was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Trieste R. Andrews (Gallo), and his son Frederick F. Andrews. He is survived by his three remaining children, Robert E. Andrews Jr. and his partner Richard W. Droukas of Simpsonville, Kentucky; Mary DeCroce and her husband David; and Trieste A. Andrews of Southington, CT and her partner Roger Rau of Oregon City, Oregon as well as many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was also predeceased by his brothers Frederick F Andrews, Jr. of Revere, MA and his twin brother Thomas J. Andrews of Amherst, MA.

Robert was born in Revere MA. in 1917, the son of Dr. Frederick F. Andrews and Mary Frances Andrews (Downs). He had very fond memories of his early years at Revere Beach, working at Suffolk Downs and vacations in New Hampshire, the White Mountains and Hampton Beach.

After graduating from Boston College High School, he attended Tufts College in Medford MA as a pre-dental student. He went on to finish his studies in dentistry at Georgetown University in Washington DC, where he received his D.D.S. Soon after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a captain in the Army Medical Corps during World War II. During the war, he served in several different theaters, including Europe, Japan and the South Pacific. It was during his tour of New Guinea and the Philippines that he met his future wife Trieste R. Gallo who was also serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corps as an Army nurse. After the war, they returned home and were married in 1947 in Providence, Rhode Island and eventually settled in Westwood, MA, where he and his family lived for more than 25 years.

In his professional life, he maintained his family dental practice in West Roxbury, MA for more than 30 years and was a member of the Massachusetts Dental Society and the Rotary. In his private life, he enjoyed fishing, bowling, playing golf, reading, taking naps and puttering around the house. His family often recalls many of his painting projects in and outside of their home. During the 1950's he served as Cub Scout leader. He also was a member of the 125 Bowling League and was a member and avid golfer at the Glen Ellen Country Club.

Formerly living at the home of his daughter Mary in Southington, CT, he had resided for an extended period of time at The Summit in Plantsville, CT, where he died peacefully. The kindness and compassion of the staff were extraordinary. The family wishes to thank the Summit staff for the comfort of their support during his last days as well as their kindness and compassion given to his wife who also recently passed away at the Summit.

SERVICES: Calling hours will be on Thursday Feb. 14, 2013 from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home 211 N. Main St. in Southington. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 1050 Flanders Road in Southington, CT. Private burial with military honors will be held in the State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Southington Community Cultural Arts, P.O Box 50, Southington, CT 06489