Obituary of Robert S. Andrews

Voorheesville - Robert S. Andrews died Monday, January 9, 2017. Robert was born on April 30, 1924, a son of the late Guy C.D. Andrews and Anice Stiles Andrews in Barre, Vermont, where he grew up and attended Spaulding High School. He graduated with the class of 1942. He spent much of his early life on his grandfather’s farm in Moira, New York, where he worked following graduation. Hoping to pursue an agricultural career, he later attended and graduated from Canton Agricultural and Technical College in 1949. While teaching an agricultural course in Glenfield, NY, Robert met and later married the former Dorothy H. Tiffany of Glenfield. They were married at Glenfield Methodist Church on October 14, 1950. The couple resided in Plattsburgh, West Sand Lake, and Poestenkill, NY, before moving to Voorheesville, NY in 1956, where they raised their two children. Dorothy predeceased him in 1986. He married Marilyn Minkler on November 20, 1987 at New Scotland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Andrews spent much of his adult life working in jobs that required driving. He worked at GLF (later Agway) delivering fuel oil and was briefly a manager at the petroleum terminal in Albany. Over his career, he also worked for Jewel Tea home delivery service and U-Haul. For many years, Robert drove school bus for the Voorheesville Central School district and was a van driver for the Atria Senior Living community and for the New Scotland Senior Citizens until his retirement in 2010. Robert was owner-operator of Bob’s Service Center (Mobil gasoline retailer) in Voorheesville from 1971 to 1985, where he also provided snow plowing services for many of his customers. He was an active member of the New York State Gasoline Retailers Association while owning the service station. Robert had a lifelong love of music. His father was a musician in Barre, and following childhood piano lessons, he enjoyed playing piano and singing in several church choirs. While at Canton, Robert played piano in a dance band. He sang at many weddings and was often a baritone soloist in the choir at Voorheesville First United Methodist Church, where he was a member since 1956. For many years, Robert sang in the Festival of Praise, a five-hundred voice ecumenical choir that performed annually at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. He also enjoyed singing in the Men’s Quartet at church and often entertained residents at Atria with his keyboard and vocal skills. Robert enjoyed many activities during his life. He was an avid bowler for many years and enjoyed outdoor activities of cross-country skiing, biking, canoeing, bocce, and trailer camping with his family. Camping, and New Years' Eves, often included evenings playing pinochle or dominoes with friends and family. While in his eighties, he was a member of the Voorheesville Horseshu League, where he enjoyed the friendly competition and camaraderie. He was an active member of the church and served on and chaired various committees through the years. He was a member of the United Methodist Men, and his work for the annual Auction and Bazaar and the expansion building fund helped raise funds for the church. He loved watching sports on TV or in person, especially professional baseball and football, and actively followed his beloved Boston Red Sox, the New York Giants, and later, the New England Patriots. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Marilyn; two children and two step children and their spouses, Robert Andrews Jr. (Lynn) of Baltimore, MD, Mary Ellen (Mike) Burns of Queensbury, NY, Sharon Sharon Stack of Latham, and David Minkler of Guilderland, NY; six grandchildren, Valerie (Nick) Sipes, David Andrews, Chris (Dorleen) Burns, Tiffany (Derek) Burch, Matthew Stack, Erin Stack; three great-grandchildren, Henry Sipes, Ryder Burch, and Mya Burns; a sister, Annette Bennett of Fayetteville, PA; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 14, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville, 68 Maple Ave., Voorheesville, NY 12186. Calling hours will be Friday from 4 - 8 p.m. in the Reilly & Son Funeral Home, Voorheesville. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville would be appreciated.