Andrew Cumming

1919 - 2018

Andrew Cumming

Naples, FL

Andrew (Andy) Cumming, 98, of Naples, passed away, peacefully, at the Chateau at Moorings Park surrounded by his family on March 1, 2018.

Andy was born to John and Elizabeth Cumming (originally from Scotland) in Des Moines, IA. They moved later to Newton, IA where Andy graduated from Newton High School. He was a good swimmer and beautiful dancer and developed into a gourmet cook later in life, with his dinner invitations much coveted. He continued his interest in swimming at the University of Iowa where he was on the Swim Team for 3 years before joining the Navy at the outbreak of WW II. He received his basic training at Corpus Christi where he was number one in his class. He flew off Aircraft Carriers for a short time and when they had too many carrier pilots, was assigned to "boats" cargo planes flying throughout the Pacific.

At the end of the war, Pan Am offered him a job at $1,200.00 a month but he received an offer from Mr. J.C. Penney for $150.00 a month and took that, knowing that being a pilot, you were only as good as your last physical. In 1942 he married Barbara Ann Rash, daughter of a Penney Manager, and they had three children, Andrew III (who followed him into the Penney Co.), Crispin Ann and Lynn Reese. Through years of hard work he rose to become Vice President and Director of Corporate Personnel in the New York City home office. Andy was a member of the Merchants Council, New York University Institute of Retail Management, an active board member of Junior Achievement and President of UBA (Unemployment Benefit Advisors in Washington, DC) where he had a perfect attendance record for six years. During this he was invited by President Reagan to the White House for a luncheon of officers of large corporations.

Following the death of his first wife, who for several years he lovingly cared for, he became active in 5th Avenue Presbyterian Church where he served two terms as an elder and then became a trustee. It was at coffee hour that he met his second wife Sharon and they were married there in 1969. They recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary.

Andy was spoken of, very highly, by his peers who called him "A Friend to People" during his time at the Penney Company.

Sharon and Andy vacationed and moved to Naples in 1973 and he was on the Board of Royal Poinciana for several years, where he enjoyed many years of golf and tennis. He was also President of Le Parc Condominium. Andy and Sharon enjoyed traveling the world for several years and were so grateful for those special times.

Andy was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ann, sister and brother in law, Dr. Dorothy and Dr. Frank Forsythe, brother, John and wife Barbara Cumming, and nephew, William Forsythe.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; children, Drew (Marilee), Crispin and Reese (Kathryn); grandchildren, Justin Schechter, Lindsey Schechter, Melissa Ann Cumming, Miles Cumming and great step-granddaughter, Juliette. He was very proud of his children's and grandchildren's accomplishments. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 1st Presbyterian Church, 250 Sixth Street S, Naples, FL 34102 on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 1:00 PM with a reception following at Royal Poinciana Golf Club, 1600 Solana Road, Naples, FL 34105.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Andy's memory to 1st Presbyterian Church (address above), Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105 or the scholarship fund of Moorings Park, 130 Moorings Park Dr, Naples, FL 34105.

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Chateau, Home Health particularly, Elta Jean Dervil, for their loving care for Andy and for the ladies from Avow Hospice who also showed such loving card and kept him pain free.

Andy will be sorely missed by his family and many friends.