Andrew Joseph McLoughlin

Andrew Joseph McLoughlin was born on July 9th, 1983 to his father John and mother Denise. The third of three brothers, he shared a birthday with his oldest brother, John, who was born six years earlier, and shared a room for many years with his middle brother, Brian, who was three years older. Though his parents preferred calling him Andrew, he decided for himself to go by Andy and, rejecting this, his brothers would later dub him Pinky. He was born in Abington Hospital, outside of Philadelphia, and spent his earliest childhood years in Warminster, PA. He would tell you, however, that his hometown was really Bloomsburg, the town in northeastern PA to which he and his family relocated when Andy was six years old. Growing up in Bloomsburg gave him meaningful, formative relationships and experiences that shaped him greatly. As he grew older, he spoke fondly of his time in "the only town in Pennsylvania". He loved that place and its community, and took great pride in being its representative into the greater world. After leaving Bloomsburg for Widener University, Andy would call many other places home. At one time or another he lived in Chester, PA; West Chester, PA; Arnold, MD; Severn, MD; Chicago, IL; Philadelphia, PA, Royersford, PA; and Southampton, PA. Wherever Andy went, he truly made a home for himself, drawing others to him with his generous spirit and talent for seeing the best in everyone. At each new stop, he forged lasting connections and built communities of life-long friends. Andy was the best of us in his generosity and selflessness. Even when he did not have much himself, he would give away what he had to others in need. He once gave his winter coat to a homeless stranger while walking home from work in South Philadelphia on a particularly cold night, an almost literal example of giving someone the shirt off his back. This past December, he personally organized and delivered a complete Christmas experience–Santa and all–when he learned of a little boy, whom he did not know, who otherwise would have had nothing. He has been known to give his last cent to someone in need. He has put homeless people in hotel rooms on frigid nights. He has gone without so others wouldn't. He loved Star Wars, superheroes, and comics. He loved The Eagles, The Flyers, and any chance to attend a professional sporting event. He loved geeking out over theories and spoilers for his favorite movies. He attended movie marathons for both Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He loved cosplay and making his own costumes and props. He loved Halloween and designing creative ways to scare brave trick'r'treaters. He loved science and dreaming about concepts like quantum mechanics and multiverse theory. He loved pondering the supernatural. He loved his nicknames, like Bounce and Pinky. Most of all, he loved people. He loved his family and his massive family of friends. As a son, brother, uncle, friend, and confidant, Andy was tireless in his love and support. He was authentic and easy to talk to, even when he was voicing disagreement. He had a big heart, in every sense. He self-identified as an empath and no one who knew him would disagree. Andy knew what you were feeling and what you needed in the moment. His sensitivity helped him to help so many, in ways big and small. When his passions ran high, Andy would express himself through poetry, art, humor, and music; he would write thoughtful and moving letters; and sometimes he would speak most simply through a hug. Andy was extremely passionate about mental health and eating disorders, two topics with very personal meaning for him. His own journey of health and healing eventually led him to find opportunities to support, provide assistance, and be an example to others. He viewed this service with a sense of duty, and his compassion for others drove him. Andy passed away suddenly, shockingly on March 30th, 2022. He was 38 years old. He felt no pain and experienced no fear. He left this world feeling good about himself and the path he was on, having discovered self-love and acknowledging the love from all of us around him. Let those of us he left behind, who miss him greatly and whose hearts hurt so badly now, take solace in that. Perhaps we can bear this burden a bit more easily with the knowledge that he slipped quickly into a state of peace, filled with love and feeling good about his journey. In his passing he was able to perform one last act of pure selflessness to help others. As an organ donor, his final gifts have already saved lives. Andy has now truly given all he had to give. Andy is survived by his mother, Denise; his father, John; his brothers, John and Brian; his sisters-in-law, Amanda and Dana; his nephew, Jack; his nieces, Angelina, Cora, and Evelyn; and his beloved cat, Scrapple. Rest in peace, Andy. We love you and always will. Thank you for loving us. We hope to live by your example and bring as much as we can of the love you gave us to those we touch. A wise person once said, "With great power comes great responsibility." You bore responsibility beyond what should have ever been required, but you repeatedly rose to the occasion and somehow found the power to endure within you each time. Superheroes are real. You are ours. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in memory of Andrew McLoughlin to the following organizations that provide help to individuals, families, and the community with mental illness and eating disorders, just as Andy did: NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association): https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/honoringandy NAMI Philadelphia (National Alliance on Mental Illness) https://namiphilly.org/get-involved/donate/ *Please indicate "Tribute Donation: In Memory of Andrew McLoughlin"