John I. McAndrew Sr.

John I. McAndrew, Sr. 75, of Eldersburg, died Wednesday, November 12, 2014, at Lorien Nursing Center in Columbia of heart failure. Born April 2, 1939, in Spangler, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Wilfred and Viola McAndrew. He was the husband of Rebecca McAndrew, his wife of 50 years. He was a decorated police officer with Baltimore City Police Department, Western District, for 50 years, where he worked for his entire career. He began his career in 1961 when officers worked foot posts and used call boxes to communicate with the district station. He finished his career in 2011 with computers in police vehicles and hand-held smart radios, thus witnessed and participated in the evolution of modern policing history. He was a member of Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #3, Baltimore Retired Police Benevolent Association and The Maryland Police Emerald Society. Before joining the police department, he served in the United States Army from 1957-1960 as a military police, deployed in Germany. He enjoyed working with youth and coached football, basketball, and baseball for many years at Severn Athletlic Club, where he also served as the President for a term. He was Roman Catholic and attended St. Joseph Catholic Community in Eldersburg and Holy Family Catholic Church in Randallstown. Additionally, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Surviving in addition to his wife are his daughter, Clare Mastramico and her husband Phil of Elkridge, his son John McAndrew Jr. and his wife Lara of Pasadena, and three grandsons. He was predeceased by his brother, James McAndrew. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Community, 915 Liberty Rd., Eldersburg. Interment will be at Crest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Marriottsville. Friends may call at the Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Rd., Sykesville on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9pm.