Andrea Wade "Andy" DeCuzzi

Andrea "Andy" Wade DeCuzzi

December 5, 2025

Winterville, North Carolina - It is with much sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the death of Andrea "Andy" Wade DeCuzzi, 81, of Winterville, North Carolina. He went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, December 5, 2025; passing away peacefully in his sleep, at MacGregor Downs Health & Rehabilitation Center, after a brief but valiant fight with cancer.

The family will receive friends from 3-5 PM on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Wilkerson Funeral Home, 2100 E. Fifth Street, Greenville, NC 27858.

Andrea was born on January 28, 1944 in Maryland. He was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick J. DeCuzzi and Danez Vincent DeCuzzi; his sister, Donna DeCuzzi Guillen; his brother, Patrick J. DeCuzzi, Jr.; and his first wife of 38 years, Sue Kendrick DeCuzzi. He is survived by his: significant other, Beverley Wheeler; sisters, Lorraine J. DeCuzzi and Mary DeCuzzi Cook and husband, Rob; daughter, Amy DeCuzzi Mann and husband, Billy; step-sons, Kevin Sides and wife, Stephanie; and Christian Sides; second wife of 12½ years, Helen "Taffy" Moretz DeCuzzi; granddaughter, Elizabeth S. Mann; five grandsons, JJ, Tim, Drew, Daniel and Luke Sides; three great-grandsons, Jaxon, Parker and Carter Wade Mann; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and lifetime friends; and all of his breakfast buddies across all of North Carolina.

Andy moved to Greenville, North Carolina in his teens and graduated

from J. H. Rose High School, class of 1963. After graduation, Andy wanted to serve his country and in September of that year, he joined the United States Air Force. During his tour of duty, he spent five months in Okinawa, Japan, and nine months in Vietnam at Cam Ranh Air Force Base in Cam Ranh Bay.

After the war, Andy completed his education at East Carolina University receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master's Degree in Accounting. He began his career as a Certified Public Accountant at Norwood Whitehurst's firm, and also at Bubba Ross' silk-screening company. Not really enjoying "keeping the books", Andy took his first real Controller position for his high school friend, Parker Overton, where he helped Parker build Overton's Sporting Goods from a small shop to a huge showroom and much more.

After Overton's, he moved his family to Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, to start a long, fulfilling career as a Controller for multiple waste management companies across North Carolina. Andy would work for five of them in total: ARS (American Refuse System); Waste Management Services, Allied Waste, Allied Waste BFI, and lastly, Republic Services in Hickory, North Carolina, from where he retired in 2009.

During his retirement, Andy lived his life to the fullest; enjoying bucket list trips around the world, spending time with friends and family at his homes in the Western North Carolina mountains, and Lake Norman, and collecting trains and rare historical reference books. Those books helped in his research of the Civil War history in North Carolina and Pitt County, connecting his extensive family ancestry research to specific historical details and events.

In 2006, Andy rededicated his life to Jesus and began serving Him through Mount Pleasant Methodist Church in Sherrills Ford, North Carolina. He was an active member of the Methodist men and served as church representative for funerals. At the same time, Andy also served on the Board of Visitors at Lenoir-Rhyne University from 2013-2019.

An avid sports fan, Andy was a proud and devoted ECU Pirates Football fan through and through! He was an active member of the East Carolina Pirates Club for 53 years and held season tickets for 51 of those years. He watched his beloved team's last football game just days before his passing.

In 2021, after 35 years away, Andy moved back to his hometown of Winterville, North Carolina. He spent his last few years rekindling and renewing relationships with childhood friends, family and classmates.

At the end of Andy's life he loved the little things: a good book, nightly news, an old war movie or a good western on television, a challenging game of dominoes, a long nap, his daily 5PM phone call, having great conversation with life-long buddies over breakfast, watching it snow, his time spent in Bath, North Carolina with his beloved Beverley, just sitting on the porch listening to the waves lap against the bulkhead, or playing his best hand of cards ever, and Beverley still winning (she always did!), a good meal with friends and loved ones, ECU football games, a HOT Krispy Kreme Doughnut, a good ol' hot dog, and last, but not least, his daily share of popsicles.

Andy's life was a testament to hard work, loyalty, dedication, integrity, perseverance, resilience, and a profound commitment to his family, friends, his career, and his faith. His presence will be greatly missed by ones that knew him, respected him, and loved him.

The family is very grateful to the staff and support teams at MacGregor Downs Health Center and Hospice for their competent and compassionate care. Thank you so much, we really appreciated all of your help and kindness.

The family extends special thanks to Lorriane DeCuzzi, Beverley Wheeler, Ronald (RV) Vincent and family, The Breakfast Buddies, and the CD Grill and staff (for putting up with them), and the Class of '63 (monthly dinner). Dad's last few years wouldn't have been so great without y'all!

Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com