Andre H. Jaeger Sr.

JAEGER Andre H. Jaeger Sr., age 86, of Westport, died early Tuesday morning at Norwalk Hospital of complications from pneumonia after a week-long illness. Born in New York City in 1917, he moved to Westport in 1929, graduating from Worcester Academy in Massachusetts in 1933, then from StevenPs Tech in Hoboken as an engineer in 1937. He married Constance Linxweiler of Norwalk in 1938 and, over the first 20 years of their 64 year marriage, they had five sons and four daughters. A lifelong gardener and conservationist, Andre spent most of his working years as a wholesale florist and as a local rose grower. He was famous for generously distributing roses to both civic and charitable organizations and to his friends and acquaintances, far and wide. He (reluctantly) retired in 1993. During his long and active business career, he was the president of the national rose growersP association, RosePs Inc. in the 1970s. During the 1950s he was active in the Boy Scouts as a scoutmaster as well as a member of the Westport RTM. A man of many hobbies, Andre was an avid reader, fisherman, hunter, birder and bowler - serving as president of the Greater Bridgeport Bowling Association during the 1960s. He is survived by his loving wife, Constance of Westport; his sons, Rene of Nevada City, Calif., Andre Jr. of Ridgefield, Conn., Jonathan of Westport, Kevin of Niantic, Conn., and Bruce of Newtown, Conn.; his daughters, Mary Ann Batsell of Westport, Sara of Fairfield, and Jalna of Norwalk; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; his sister, Shirley Millwee of Westport; and one niece. His daugher, Dr. Constance Jaeger predeceased him less than two years ago. Friends may attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Luke Church, 84 Long Lots Road, Westport. The family will receive friends in the Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East, Westport, on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. The family would appreciate it if you would send flowers anytime, anywhere, to anyone you love. Contributions could also be made to the Nature Conservancy and the National Audubon Society.