32515 Woodward Avenue
Royal Oak, Michigan
GERARD JAMES ANDREE - DEVOTED HUSBAND, FATHER, LONG-TIME CATHOLIC LEADER AND ATTORNEY
Gerard James Andree was a devoted husband, father, Detroit-area Catholic leader, attorney and a gentleman of integrity with an ever-curious, deeply insightful, witty and wise mind, a gentle and calm temperament, and a love for the law, his family, and his Catholic faith. He died unexpectedly on Sunday, September 4th at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.
Gerard was born on January 18, 1950 in Detroit to John Paul and Loretta Andree. The sixth of twelve siblings, he graduated high school from St. Joseph Preparatory College in Edgerton, Wisconsin in 1968. An avid learner, he graduated valedictorian and Summa Cum Laude from University of Detroit Mercy and University College, Dublin in 1972 with an AB in Irish History. He finished his studies with a Juris Doctor from University of Detroit School of Law in 1975.
Jerry met Carolyn Mary Vonesh, his lifelong love of over 40 years, while traveling on a flight on which she was working as a flight attendant for American Airlines. Always sentimental, Jerry gave her his framed ticket from that flight for their 25th anniversary. They were married on October 23, 1981 and had three children. They brought out the best in each other as devoted arts, museum and theater patrons, voracious readers, and world travelers, having visited over 50 countries together.
Jerry is the proud and loving father to John Paul, Lauren, and Kristen, whom he always said were his greatest achievements. He is survived by nine of his brothers and sisters, Louise, Stephen, Rosemary, Jeannine, Mary Jo, Daniel, David, Michelle, and Timothy. He was also a loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.
As a trial attorney for over 38 years, Gerard had a deep respect and commitment to the law, representing physicians and hospitals in medical malpractice cases, most notably William Beaumont Hospital, Michigan Orthopaedic Institute, and Botsford General Hospital, as well as products liability litigation, most notably Yamaha. At the firm Sullivan Ward, where he started in 1976, he served on both the executive committee and board of directors. Frequently tapped as a guest speaker at Grand Rounds and hospital in-service programs at William Beaumont Hospital, Gerard served on subcommittees related to mediation reform and physician discipline of the Oakland County Medical Society. He was an appointed member of the Oakland County Bar Association Limited Committee on Medical-Legal Relations. He was admitted to the United States Supreme Court bar in 2003.
Consistently recognized as an outstanding Michigan attorney, for over ten years he was voted by his peers as a Michigan "Super Lawyer," maintained the AV rating from Martindale, the highest rating available, and was recognized repeatedly as a U.S. News Best Lawyers in America, the oldest peer-reviewed publication in the legal profession. He was a member of Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, the Association of Defense Trial Counsel, and the International Association of Defense Counsel. Most proudly, in 2021 he was awarded the Monsignor Charles J. Malloy Lifetime Achievement Award by the Catholic Lawyers Society of Metropolitan Detroit "because he combines the highest level of professional achievement with outstanding service to the Church and the community."
Gerard's Catholic faith was central to his life. He strongly believed in using his talents in the service of others and the community and instilled this in his children. He was a perennial figure in Catholic leadership in Michigan, first serving with Carolyn as President of the St. Hugo of the Hills parish council during the building of its main church. He is a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. Always believing in the power of education, he served on the board of directors of the Catholic Lawyers Society of Metropolitan Detroit where he advanced Catholic education and scholarships to underserved communities. He served as both President and on the board of directors of the Detroit chapter of Legatus, an international organization of Catholic laypeople from business and professional sectors. He served on the board of directors of the Michigan chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums. He is a knight of both the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He had a special devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. He often quoted, "The only thing you can take to heaven is your children," and he was proud to have been able to enrich his children's Catholic education by taking them on pilgrimage to Rome and finally to the Holy Land.
Family will receive friends Wednesday, September 14, 2022, 2-7:30pm with Rosary 6:30pm at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48073.
Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, September 15, 2022, 10am at St. Hugo of the Hills Church, 2215 Opdyke Rd, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. Visitation begins at 9:30am.
Flowers may be sent to: AJ Desmond and Sons Funeral Home, 32515 Woodward Ave, Royal Oak, MI 48073. Memorial Donations may be sent to either: The Redemptorists Denver Province attn: Co-Redemptorists Fund, 1633 N Cleveland Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 or Solanus Casey Center of Detroit, Attn: Br. Steve Kropp, Director, 1780 Mount Elliott Street, Detroit, MI 48207.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
September 16, 2022
Work
Sandi Dudek
Sending my condolences to his family and friends. I worked at Sullivan Ward with Gerry for 25 years. He was always so proud of his family's accomplishments. May he rest in peace.
September 14, 2022
Love, Jim and Jennifer Langan
September 11, 2022
Friend
Bob Woods
Please accept my condolences ...
May Gerry Rest In Peace And May Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him ...
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A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel)32515 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, MI 48073
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