Andrew Dennis Szymanski

Andrew Szymanski Obituary
Andrew "Andy" Szymanski, 39, of Magnolia, DE passed away suddenly on the morning of July 12, 2024. He leaves a huge hole in the hearts of his family and friends who were always entertained by his humor (both appropriate and inappropriate), enamored by his smile, amazed by his generosity, envious of his drive, and touched by his spirit.
Andy was born on August 10, 1984 to Walter Dennis Szymanski and Antoinette Szymanski (Butt) in Baltimore, MD. Despite moving from Baltimore to Delaware at an early age, Andy's heart was always in Baltimore. His never ceasing support of the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens (even before they were very good), Natty Bo' Tattoo, and naming his only son Brooks (after the great Baltimore Oriole Brooks Robinson) can only confirm his Baltimorean allegiance.
His love of life, learning, and sport was evident in the way he lived. Andy was a standout soccer player from a young age (he never liked waiting in the dugout for T-ball or baseball, and despised the tights of Ballet, even though he loved being the only boy). He also had a love of service, books, poetry, and music. While performing at the top of his class academically at Caravel Academy, he racked up top nods in soccer, playing travel soccer for the M.O.T. Impact, as well as making first team all-conference and second team all-state while at Caravel. He learned the art of service and community via mission trips from United Methodist in Odessa, a craft that shaped how he always thought and interacted with others. After a devastating knee injury, Andy transitioned from the pitch to the sideline and started his career as coach and mentor. While his heart may have been on the pitch, his mind was in the library. He pursued an English Degree at Virginia Wesleyan and later returned to finish at Wilmington College. From penalty kicks to Edgar Allen Poe to the ballads of Bob Dylan, Andy was truly a renaissance man.
Perhaps a driving force for Andy to return to Delaware was to rekindle with the love of his life, Laura Burns. Andy adored Laura, wrote her poetry, held her close in spirit for the years they were apart, and finally were married in October of 2008. From setting up countless classrooms to Disney Adventures, to beach trips, Laura and Andy were inseparable. Together they built a life of love, laughter, patience, and sports parenting their children: Nina, Dory, and Brooks. Andy loved being a dad, period. He was an amazing father. He took pride in everything they did. Andy and Nina shared a love of scary movies, as well as tattoos. Andy took Nina for her first tattoo, as well as threatened every boyfriend she brought home. He coached and cheered Dory on as she excelled at volleyball and academics. Andy taught Brooks not only the art of baseball, but how to be a true gentleman.
Andy's spirit, generosity, and love (especially of sport) extended beyond his immediate family. For the past 12 years, he served children in need as a dedicated and respected supervisor for DYRS. Andy traded in his soccer cleats for a baseball bat as Brooks pursued Little League Baseball with Camden Wyoming Little League, and later the competitive ACES baseball family. Andy loved being Dory's biggest supporter, traveling with Dory and her Coastal Volleyball team, as well as with her middle school volleyball and soccer teams. Dory was even better because of his support, with his arms bruised from bumping all day. Andy was always more than just a baseball dad, soccer dad, or volleyball dad. Andy strived to be a team player- coach, mentor, game day creator, score keeper, and at times even the water boy (only high quality H20 though). Andy had the biggest heart, the best smile, and a never-ending list of the most inappropriate jokes at the most appropriate times that made everything better. Andy could make you feel like you had been friends for life even after just meeting. He was your biggest fan and critic in the same breath. He could be strong willed, but continually prioritized his family's needs, be that his chosen sport family, work family, or community, but especially his children's, well above his own. His legacy and memory will carry on forever in the countless lives he touched, humored, supported, mentored, coached, and saved.
Andy is survived by his wife of nearly 16 years, Laura Szymanski (Burns), children Nina Burns, Dory Szymanski, and Brooks Szymanski; parents An and Dennis Szymanski; siblings Kelly Reid, Christen Szymanski, Danielle Kraynik, and Jon Szymanski. Also mother in-law Leslie Burns, sister in-laws Jennifer Simpson (Curtis), Danielle Willey (Ray) and 11 nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Andy's Life will occur on Wednesday July 24, 2024 at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W Camden Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, DE 19934. A viewing will be held on Wednesday from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M., followed by a funeral service starting at 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home. A procession to Barratt's Chapel Cemetery located at 6486 Bay Road Frederica, DE 19946 for burial will begin after the funeral service.
Those who choose to join the family for a celebration of Andy's life are encouraged to wear their best sports gear (Eagles and Steeler fans please refrain). Dress in what makes you happy. Andy preferred a good sports T-shirt and shorts (even when it was snowing) than a suit. Dress in what will help you celebrate his life, the family will as well.
In remembrance of Andy's life, the family asks that any donations be made to Delmarva Aces 12U Upstate team in lieu of flowers. Andy was in charge of all of their teams' fundraising to assist with costs for them to play in tournaments. The donation form can be found here. Those interested in donating and supporting Laura, Nina, Dory and Brooks directly during this very difficult time can do so at the family's GoFundMe page. Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.
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