John M. Andrews, U.S. Navy Veteran, Dies at 82

John M. Andrews, 82, of Narragansett, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2014 surrounded by his loving family.

He was the husband of the late Mary (Rigney) Andrews for forty-nine years.

Born in New Bedford, MA on February 20,1931, he was the son of the late Charles and Mary (McCann) Andrews. He lived in North Providence for fifty years before moving to Narragansett in 2010.

John was in procurement for most of his business career, having served as Purchasing Agent for the City of East Providence, Purchasing Manager for Cumberland Engineering, and Materials Manager for U.S.Windpower.

He graduated from Brown University, Class of 1953 with a degree in Sociology. While at Brown, he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. In 1974, he earned a Master of Business Administration in Management at Bryant College (now University), and in 1978, he earned the professional designation of Certified Purchasing Manager. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy in the Korean War.

John was founding president of the R.I. Chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, president of the Purchasing Management Association of R.I., past president of the Brown Club of R.I.,and a member of the R.I. Academy of Wine.

He is survived by four daughters; Kathy Andrews of Pawtucket, Janie MacLellan and her husband Ronald of Foxboro, Ma., Ellen Manocchia and her husband Mark of Narragansett, Diane Lukowicz and her husband Steven of North Kingstown, and one son, John M. Andrews, Jr. and his wife Maria of Lexington, Ma.

Also, grandchildren, Mark and John Manocchia, Ronald and Julia MacLellan, Ryan Lukowicz and Gabriella Andrews.

He was the brother of the late Charles A. Andrews, Jr.

His funeral was held on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 from the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home in Warwick. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, Narragansett, followed by a burial with military honors in the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John's name may be made to the Class of 1953 Endowed Scholarship Fund, Brown University, Box 1877, Providence, RI 02912.

Click here to view John's memorial page, courtesy of Russell J. Boyle & Sons Funeral Home.