Andrew J. Cox, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away surrounded by his family following a lengthy battle with lung cancer on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in
Richmond, Virginia.
Andy was born in
Scranton, Pennsylvania, January 27, 1941, to the late Andrew J. Cox, Sr., and the late Eleanor Dunleavy Cox. Andy leaves behind his devoted wife of 58 years, Kathleen Marie Cassidy Cox; two loving daughters and sons-in-law, Erin and William Parkhurst of
Richmond, Virginia, and Eileen and Scot Swords of
Naples, Florida; five beloved grandchildren, Mary Katherine Parkhurst and her fiancé Danny Reis, 2nd Lt. Andrew Denman Parkhurst U.S. Army, John Graham Parkhurst, Anna Colleen Swords, and Theodore James Swords; and one great grandchild, Hunter Reis.
Andy is also survived by his dear brother Francis Cox, of
Brookfield, Wisconsin, and his nephew Matthew Teuteberg and wife Christie of
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and their three children Mitchell, Rylee and Patrick.
Growing up, Andy's family lived in several cities in Pennsylvania and later,
Brookfield, Wisconsin, but Andy's favorite place was always
York, Pennsylvania. Throughout his life he shared many warm memories of the rambling country house where the family lived, the one-room schoolhouse he and his siblings attended, the mischief he made with his boyhood friends, and the many joyful hours he spent outdoors exploring woods and streams.
Andy graduated in 1965 with a bachelor's of science degree in business from Marquette University in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Following a successful career leading human resources as a vice-president for Coltec Industries, serving in aerospace and engine manufacturing divisions in Wisconsin, California and Arizona, Andy launched Cox Consulting, a leadership and management consulting company, based in Phoenix.
Andy and Kate moved to Glen Allen, Virginia, in 2010 to be closer to their grandchildren. In Virginia, in addition to attending nearly every sporting and school event for Mary Kate, Drew and Jack, and traveling often to Florida to do the same for Annie and Teddy, Andy turned his attention, time and considerable talents to serving others. He participated in multiple ministries at St. Michael's Catholic Church and was an active member of its Knights of Columbus council. Shortly before his death, Andy was recognized by the council with an award given to a Knight whose good works and faithful service exemplify their core values of charity, unity, fraternity and support of the priesthood. The love and esteem he felt from his brother Knights touched Andy deeply.
The many other charitable events and organizations Andy volunteered with included the Step Up for Down Syndrome annual 5k for the Virginia Down Syndrome Association and the annual Summer Games for
Special Olympics Virginia.
Andy was an accomplished lifelong fly fisherman, and member of both the Fly Fishers of Virginia and Arizona. He used his extensive knowledge and expertise, borne from patient hours tying flies and exploring many rivers, to share the healing powers of fly fishing with men living with cancer through Reel Recovery and disabled active military service members and veterans through Project Healing Waters.
Fly fishing was one of Andy's true passions, and part of his legacy. He showed his family, and the people he shared time fishing with, the simple beauty of casting a line into the quiet swell of a stream and the eternal power and grace of nature that God gave us and that binds us together in our shared humanity.
Andy loved his family unconditionally and with his whole heart. He was humble, grateful for his many blessings, and unfailingly generous. Andy also showed true grit in the face of life's adversities, and he demonstrated what it means to live with unwavering faith, in word and deed. Andy was a loyal friend to many, a loving, silly, fun, and always-present Papa to his grandchildren, and the light of our lives to his wife and daughters.
Andy is at peace, safe somewhere in the sun dappled light of a river or a stream, and forever in our hearts.
A funeral mass and inurnment will be held Monday, July 31, 2023, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, in Glen Allen, Virginia, at 10:30 a.m., with a visitation of Andy's ashes beginning at 9:30. A lunch reception in the parish hall will follow the mass and inurnment. All are welcome to attend. For those unable to attend in person, the mass will be livestreamed on the St. Michael's website at https://saint-mikes.org/livestream.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the following charitable organizations for which Andy was a dedicated volunteer and champion: Reel Recovery
Project Healing Waters
Virginia Down Syndrome Association
Special Olympics Virginia