Andrew J. Milewski Jr.

1934 - 2024

Andrew J Milewski Jr.
1/30/2024
Andrew Joseph Milewski Jr. (Andy), 89, passed away on January 30th, 2024, in Groton, CT. Characterized by his knowledge, resilience, and passion for community service, Andy' big heart and quick wit made him so easy to love wherever life took him. Cherished by his family and friends, Andy's life will be an eternal example of how to live well to all that he touched.
Born in New York City on February 27, 1934 to the late Andrew Joseph Milewski Sr. and Josephine (Bykowski) Milewski, Andy was raised in Meriden, CT. He came from a close-knit extended family and spent many hours with his paternal babcia (grandmother), working side-by-side on her farm where she taught him about hard work and charity. Andy was well-known and liked in his Meriden community. He worked at the local neighborhood store and deli all through high school, but still found plenty of time to play basketball, the game that he loved for his entire life, every evening at the local CYO. He went on to star as a lanky 6' 3" center at Meriden High School and Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.
After graduating from Wesleyan University with a BS in Chemistry, Andy served in the US Army. Originally stationed at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Andy worked on ballistic protection fabrics. After his release from active duty, he went to work for General Electric at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, continuing his career as a research chemist. He met his future wife, Myra Jane Makowit, at GE. Andy and his family later relocated to Connecticut, where he worked for a wire manufacturer in Hamden, CT, before joining Viking Wire Company in Danbury, CT. He served as production and quality assurance manager for Viking, which made specialty magnetic wire that flew to the moon as part of the Apollo program. Andy finished his career at the Mitchell Fuel Oil company.
In 1964, Andy moved with his family to Brookfield, CT, where he and his wife, Myra, raised their three sons, Paul, Bill, and Andy III. Andy was a very hands-on father, supporting all of their academic and extracurricular endeavors, encouraging them to become the wonderful men they are today. Andy was very involved in the Danbury community for many years. He was a little league coach for his three sons in the Brookfield Baseball Association, sharing his love and knowledge of baseball with his team. Andy also volunteered his time to support Immaculate High School. He sold tickets at the door of every home basketball game and served as chairman of the Immaculate High School car raffle fundraiser for over a decade.
In his personal time, Andy was an avid golfer and bowler. He was a 50-year member of the Danbury Dusty Golf League, a member of the Danbury and Brookfield Bowling Leagues, and served as league secretary for all three. Andy continued as the Dusty League secretary for many years after he hung up his spikes. He also loved to sail, and rebuilt an old wooden Lightning to take his family boating on Candlewood Lake in the 1970s and 1980s. As for sports, Andy was a diehard Yankees and UCONN's Women's Basketball fan - so much so that other teams weren't much of a concern to him!
After living for 55 years in Brookfield, Andy relocated to Masonicare in Mystic, CT, in 2019, where he quickly began a new chapter of his life. He was an extremely active member of the community and affectionately known as the "Mayor" of Masonicare. You could find him welcoming new residents, playing poker, leading classes on hand-painted greeting cards, tending to his vegetable and flower garden, or catching up with friends at late-afternoon pub gatherings. Andy combined his passions for baking and community service to fundraise for the Alzheimer's Association. He was recognized by Rep. Joe Courtney, 2nd District Connecticut in 2021 for his efforts, and received an Outstanding Resident Service Award in 2023 from the Connecticut Assisted Living Association. And his neighbors enjoyed waking up to the scent of freshly baked breads and pies almost every day.
Andy was predeceased by his wife, Myra Jane, in 2013. He is survived by his brother Richard Milewski and his wife Glenda of MA, his sons Paul Milewski of Altamonte Springs, FL, Bill Milewski and his wife Maura Gray of Lyme, CT, and Andrew Joseph Milewski III and his wife Angela of Fort Collins, CO, along with grandchildren Kaela, Liam, Gillian, Andrew J. IV (Drew), and Amelia.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. John's Church in Old Saybrook, CT, on Friday, at 10:00 a.m.