Andrew A. Bessette

1929 - 2021

FORT GRATIOT, Mich./GENEVA - Andrew A. Bessette, 92, passed away Saturday (October 23, 2021).

Services will be held in the Spring of 2022, at the Church of Transfiguration in Pittsford, N.Y.

Burial will be in Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Romulus, N.Y.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of Transfiguration.

He was born February 23, 1929 in Colchester, Vt. to the late Adelard Bessette and Louise Garney. He married his soul mate, Mary Alice Yells, on August 11, 1956 in Geneva, N.Y., who preceded him in death 10 months earlier on December 8, 2020.

Andrew served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a Technical Sergeant. He was a veteran of the Korean War and was also stationed in Paris (spoke French fluently), Texas, Connecticut, Washington and New York. After the Air Force, he was the building superintendent at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester N.Y. Andrew also first instituted the Employee Assistance Program at RIT, and counseled many people after his second retirement from RIT in chemical dependency. He was known for his tremendous love of children, dogs, and had the ability to make friends in a grocery line. His never-ending smile, positive "worlds not going to fall apart" attitude and consistent thumbs up gestures, always brightened the room. He and Mary Alice enjoyed traveling the world and with "oh Andy", there was always fun and adventure.

He is survived by his children, Mark (Rhonda) Bessette and Eric (Marlene) Bessette; grandchildren, Brandon (Emily) Bessette, Blake (Kathryn) Bessette, McKenzi (Garrett) Yerkey, A.J. Bessette, Danielle Bessette, Steven Potter, Joshua Potter and Hunter Potter; 12 great-grandchildren; and many so loved nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Gilbert, Gilbertha, Gay, Noela, and Terri; and his step-father, Joe.

Arrangements are by Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home, Port Huron, Mich. To send condolences, visit karrersimpson.com