Leonard James Andrescavage

Leonard James "Whitey/Andy" Andrescavage, age 80, was born in Chester, PA in 1943. He was the son of the late Edward J Andrescavage and Ione (Richard) Matyasik. Leonard was the second oldest of eleven brothers and sisters. A child of a coal miner, Leonard grew up in the Shenandoah Valley and Camden, New Jersey. After High School, Leonard enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and specialized in Radar Technology. While serving at Patrick Air Force Base in Satellite Beach, Florida. Leonard met the love of his life, Kathy. Leonard and Kathy were married for 57 years prior to Kathy passing away in May 2023.

After serving four years in the Air Force, Leonard and Kathy were married and started their family. They moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, later settling in Southern Illinois near Lick Creek. Together they had three children: Rebecca, Leonard II, and Andrew.

After the military, Leonard was hired by Brown and Root/Taylor Diving and Salvage in New Orleans, Louisiana as a Professional Deep Sea Diver and later as a Diving Supervisor. Leonard's diving career spanned from 1967-1979. He was always proud that his Taylor Diving Payroll Number was #0001. Working with Taylor Diving, Leonard dove in South Africa, the North Sea, the Middle East, and the Gulf of Mexico. Leonard enjoyed sharing his stories and those of his fellow dive friends' adventures.

After leaving Taylor Diving, Leonard went on to work as Chief Engineer on the Mississippi River while also raising cattle on his farm in Lick Creek. In early 1983, Leonard was involved in a marine accident that ended his river career. Leonard then decided to enroll into Southern Illinois University Carbondale to pursue a degree in Engineering. Graduating summa cum laude, Leonard earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1992.

Leonard joined Lindsey Associates as Lead Project Engineer until his retirement in 2008. While working there, Leonard designed and developed nose cone technology for the US Military and NASA. Leonard loved his time as a "Rocket Scientist" and working with his close friend, and former professor, Jeff Lindsey.

In his free time, Len enjoyed collecting vintage jazz and blues music, commemorative coins, and antique art. Leonard shared his wife's gardening talent and had a large greenhouse at his home. Leonard loved taking part in his annual Taylor Diving Reunion in Louisiana where he enjoyed the stories from their early pioneer years of diving. Len always enjoyed catching up with his close friends and family.

Leonard has nine Grandchildren and one Great-Grandchild: Alaina Weeks, Catherine (Nick) Rives, Trevor, Anthony, and Michael Andrescavage, Noah, Austin, Graham, and Isaiah Andrescavage, and Great-Granddaughter Melanie Rives.

Even until the end, Leonard couldn't leave anyone without sharing a joke of the day. Confucius say, "Rest in peace, Len".

Survived by:

Three children: Rebecca (Eric Fenton) Andrescavage, Leonard J (Susan) Andrescavage II, Andrew Beau (Cathleen) Andrescavage, nine Grandchildren, one Great Grandchild; Three sisters (Janice, Marie, and Ann) and several beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Catholic Memorial Mass is being planned with details forthcoming.

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Leonard visit www.meredithfh.com