Andrew C. Rockefeller

1929 - 2017

Andrew C. Rockefeller
May 9, 1929 - April 18, 2017Andrew C. Rockefeller, 87, of Greenwich, Connecticut and Prouts Neck, Maine died peacefully on April 18, 2017 in his home after a long battle with Alzheimer's. His three children and his Labrador were by his side Andy was the son of Nancy Carnegie and James Stillman Rockefeller and a lifelong resident of Greenwich. He was born at home on Husted Lane on May 9, 1929. He graduated from Greenwich Country Day School in 1943, Deerfield Academy in 1947 and Yale University in 1951. After college, Andy served on a minesweeper in the Navy during the Korean War. He loved to tell stories of his many adventures at ports of call around the world. After the Navy, he worked as a shipping industry executive. He later accepted the duties of managing the William G. Rockefeller family office. Andy took great pride in developing Rockefeller family land in Greenwich at Sherwood Farms and Stillman Lane. Throughout his life, Andy pursued his passions: tennis, golf, squash, skiing, mountaineering and flying. Blue must have been his favorite color: the blue of the open ocean, the limitless horizon aloft and the magnificent Swiss sky behind the Matterhorn in Zermatt. Whether sailing to windward, sinking a challenging putt, or traversing a glacier, Andy enjoyed big open spaces and the beauty they conveyed. His love of summers spent in Prout's Neck was undeniable. His attire, unique, never stylish; one could always recognize him approaching. We will fondly remember that he had an appearance all his own. After all, he knew the costume had nothing to do with ability. Andy was most fond of his fifty plus year friendship with Swiss Mountain Guide Ricky Andenmatten who showed him the magnificent beauty of the Alps. Each year Andy's trip to Zermatt was his highlight. The magical spell of the Swiss Alps has had a lasting effect on Andy's entire family. As he aged and was forced to give up his passions, it was his golf and skiing that he pursued the longest. He refused to use a golf cart maintaining to the end that a round of golf was to be walked. He skied into his 80's just to prove to himself and everyone else he still could. Andy was an accomplished pilot and would fly his single engine Cessna 182 to his children's many sporting events. He enjoyed his memberships to Round Hill Club, The Field Club, Prouts Neck Country Club, Prouts Neck Yacht Club, as well as the Yeti Club in Zermatt. He served as Commodore of the Prouts Neck Yacht Club. Andy's greatest joy in life were his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, his dogs and many lifelong friends. He was a gentle soul known by all for his kindness and generosity. Andy is survived by his three children and their spouses, Andrew Mackay Rockefeller (Regina) of Putney, VT, Elizabeth R. Currier (Doug) of Scarborough, ME and Victoria R. Philip (Peter) of Village of Golf, FL, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren: His three siblings, James S. Rockefeller, Jr., of Camden, ME, Nancy R. Copp of Memphis, TN, and Georgia R. Rose of NY, NY, also survive him. A memorial service will be held at Christ Church in Greenwich on April, 24, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Scarborough Land Trust, P.O. Box 1237, Scarborough, ME 04070 or The Mews, ½ Bolling Place, Greenwich, CT 06830.