Andrew F. Nelson

Andrew Frederick Nelson:
Career Missionary, Loving Husband and Father, Cherished Pop Pop, Dear Friend to so many, and Devoted Follower of Jesus Christ.
Andrew Frederick Nelson, 87, of Mars, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon, October 31, 2024, at UPMC Passavant Hospital in McCandless Township.
Andrew was born in Laverock, Pennsylvania, on November 25, 1936, but proudly called Philadelphia his hometown. The son of Irish immigrants from Donegal, Ireland, Andrew grew up in his parents' neighborhood grocery store, a lively bodega in Philadelphia that fostered his deep appreciation for community and connection. He shared this rich upbringing with his two sisters, the late Anita Smith and Helena "Scotty" Brown, who survives him.
As a high school student, Andrew found a passion for youth ministry, Bible study, and singing, which set the stage for his lifelong calling. He attended Houghton College in New York, where he met his beloved wife, JoAnn Marie Booth. The couple married on July 9, 1960, embarking on an extraordinary 64 year journey together.
For more than 5 decades, Andrew and JoAnn dedicated their lives to full-time ministry with Hi-BA (High School Born Againers), guiding and inspiring young people in Ohio and the New York metropolitan area. Their mission work took them across the globe, helping to establish and expand Hi-BA programs in Japan, Russia, Ukraine, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and beyond. Starting as a Hi-BA Club leader, Andrew eventually became the International Director of the organization, playing a pivotal role in shaping its global outreach until its merger with Touch The World Ministries in 1995.
Throughout their lives, Andrew and JoAnn cherished the communities they found in several churches as they moved in their later years. They formed enduring friendships at River Vale Evangelical Free Church in River Vale, NJ; Clayton Baptist Church in Clayton, NJ; and Forcey Bible Church in Silver Spring, MD. These churches offered deeply appreciated small-group fellowships and support, relationships that remained meaningful even after they moved away.
Andrew's love of sports was infectious. As a teenager, he worked in a sporting goods store and developed a lifelong enthusiasm for athletics, becoming an avid fan of football, basketball, and, most notably, his beloved Philadelphia Phillies. His passion extended to cheering for any team that captured the interests of his grandchildren, making him an enthusiastic supporter.
At the heart of Andrew's life was his family, especially his role as an engaged and loving "Pop Pop" to his ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: Millie and Leo Morris, and Elaina and Ezra Torres. He delighted in his grandchildren's school accomplishments, shared their interests in sports and hobbies, celebrated their milestones, and asked endless questions, driven by a sincere curiosity for every detail of their lives. Andrew is survived by the grandchildren of his eldest daughter, Cindy (Nelson) and Albert Torres: Daniel, Andrew, Rachel, and Naomi. His daughter Becky (Nelson) and Jonathan Ford blessed him with Joanna Morris, Jackson Ford, and Bethany Mangan. His youngest daughter, Amy (Nelson) and Kevin Horrocks, gave him Katie, AJ, and Amanda. His unwavering support and love left a lasting impact on each of them.
Andrew is also survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, JoAnn; his daughters, Amy Horrocks (Kevin) of Mars, Pennsylvania, and Rebecca "Becky" Ford (Jonathan) of Silver Spring, Maryland. He is reunited in heaven with his daughter Cindy Torres, whose husband Albert Torres of Burlington, New Jersey, survives her, and his sister, Anita Smith.
Friends and loved ones are invited to celebrate Andrew's life at a Memorial Service on Friday, November 8, 2024, at 1:00 PM at McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, Inc., 238 Crowe Ave, Mars, PA 16046. The family will greet friends beginning at Noon until the start of the service. Condolences and additional details can be found at [www.mcdonald-aeberli.com](http://www.mcdonald-aeberli.com).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Touch the World (www.touchtheworld.org), honoring Andrew's lifelong dedication to youth ministry and global mission work.