Andrew Natowich

Andrew "Andy" Natowich

1918 - 2014 BRATTLEBORO Andrew "Andy" Natowich, 95, a resident of Brattleboro since 1945, died suddenly early Thursday morning, Oct. 30, 2014, at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Andy was born in Derby, Conn. on Dec. 11, 1918, the son of Philip and Elizabeth (Wanca) Natowich both Ukrainian immigrants. He attended primary school in Ansonia, Conn. and was a graduate of Ansonia High School, Class of 1938 where he excelled as a three-sport athlete. As a student/athlete, he set many high school and state records in varsity football. In 2001, he was named one of the ten best all-time high school football players in Connecticut. Andy went on to graduate from the College of the Holy Cross in 1943, where again he was a three-sport athlete, and All American Honorable Mention in football. Following his graduation from Holy Cross he played one season for the Washington Redskins when his career was cut short by an injury. In 1985 he was inducted into the Holy Cross Hall of Fame, and recently into the Vermont Principal's Association Hall of Fame. He was a proud veteran of World War II serving his country in the United States Army where he was honorably discharged from active service on Nov. 19, 1944. Andy began his long career as a teacher in Brattleboro in 1945, and coached varsity baseball and football for thirty years. He enjoyed great success as a high school coach. Natowich-coached teams won state football championships in 1950, 1957, and 1965. His 1953 team was undefeated as well. Natowich-coached baseball teams won state championships in 1951, 1956, and 1961, and were state finalists in 1957, 1958, and 1960. He was well respected and admired by his former students and players who throughout the years kept in communication with him, many through home visits. In 1953 he supervised the renovation of the baseball field at the high school as well as the football field in 1965, which is named in his honor. He also helped build the sports complex in Fort Dummer, as well as the Small Fry, Little League, and Memorial Park fields. He was a member of the American Legion, Brattleboro Post #5, and former member of the B.P.O. Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499 and the Knights of Columbus, Leo Council #917. With his wife he was a longtime communicant of Saint Michael's Roman Catholic Church. Of his leisure time activities he enjoyed vegetable gardening, each spring planting many varieties of tomatoes and numerous other vegetables. He also enjoyed trout fishing, visiting with his former students, and time shared with his family. He was an avid Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves fan and enthusiastically followed his beloved Holy Cross football and basketball teams. On Oct. 12, 1943, at Saint Joseph's Church in Shelton, Conn. he was married to Alice Regan who survives. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 71 years he leaves one son, Phillip Natowich of Brattleboro; two daughters, Andrea Russo and her husband, Frank, of South Glastonbury, Conn., and Rosemary Strumpf and her husband, David, of Guilderland, N.Y.; seven granddaughters, Kara Young, Gina Daigle, Anna McPhee, Alexandra Natowich, and Emily, Rebecca and Lauren Strumpf; and five great-grandchildren, Steve, Nicholas and Mia Daigle, Owen McPhee and Mary Young. Additionally he leaves one sister, Esther Baczek; one brother, Michael Necio; and many nieces and nephews; as well as friends and neighbors he held dear throughout the years. He was predeceased by four sisters, Olana Brushitis, Anna Preneta, Mary Benzi and Catherine Sheasby; a brother, John Natowich; and Godson Ronnie Benzi. FUNERAL NOTICE: The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Nov. 7th at 10 a.m. at Saint Michael's Catholic Church with Fr. James Dodson, Pastor, Celebrant. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Natowich family lot in Saint Michael's Parish Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the ATAMANIUK FUNERAL HOME on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 6 - 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Andy Natowich Memorial Scholarship in care of Kathy Rouleau at BUHS, 131 Fairground Road, Brattleboro, Vermont, 05301. To sign an online register book or send messages of e-condolence please visit www.atamaniuk.com Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.