Andrew Francis Scrivani

Andrew Francis Scrivani

AGE: 98 • Wall

Andrew Francis Scrivani, 98, of Wall, NJ, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2015 at the Veterans Hospital in Lyons, NJ. Andy was a former boxing Olympian, highly decorated WWII hero and a professional boxer. He was born in Chicago and grew up on the West Side where he joined a boxing group at the local CYO and was coached by Packy McFarland. In 1934, he qualified for the Golden Gloves Team with Joe Louis. He later went on to win the Golden Gloves title and qualified for the Olympic Team along with Jesse Owens and Louis Zamparini. He boxed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, making it all the way to the quarter finals. After the Olympics, Andy came home and turned pro under George Blake, one of the most famous managers of his era. Andy was rated in the top 10 lightweight fighters in the country, fighting Cecil Hudson to a draw who later defeated Jake Lamotta, aka the Raging Bull. During the rise of his boxing career, Andy was drafted into the United States Army into World War II and once again returned to Germany. There he earned the Bronze Star for heroism after saving another soldier's life, and the Purple Heart for being shot in the leg on the front lines, which saved his life as the war ended while he was in the hospital. When he returned from the war, Andy settled down to raise his family in Miami, FL where he trained his son at the World Famous 5th St. Gym with many championship fighters, including Cassius Clay. He also worked the wickets at several racetracks. Andy retired early at 60 and was able to enjoy the family house at Lake June, FL. In 1993, he moved to Las Vegas to teach boxing at Johnny Taco's Gym. He recently moved to Wall to live with his son. Andy was an all-around outstanding man, role model and father.

Andy is predeceased by his wife, Vivian (Ryan) Scrivani; his grandson, Michael Robert Scrivani; his 5 brothers, Bob, Tony, Richard, Emil and Melvin; and his sister, Mary. He is survived by his son, Robert Scrivani of Wall, NJ and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 from 4-8pm at the Neary-Quinn Funeral Home, 39 South Street, Manasquan. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 10:30am at St. Catharine's Church in Spring Lake. Interment will follow at Brig. General Wm. C. Doyle Veteran Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown. Donations can be made in Andy's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org. For more information or to post a tribute, please visit www.neary-quinnfuneral home.com.