Andrew Bodick

1979 - 2024

Andrew Bodick
January 27, 1979 - March 9, 2024
Andrew Michael Bodick passed away on March 9, 2024, at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford. He was born January 27, 1979, in Bridgeport, CT and was a lifelong resident of Milford, CT.
He is survived by his parents, Larry Bodick (Pat Basile) of Vero Beach, FL and Nancy Berrien Bennett (Stephen) of Sharon, CT, his maternal grandmother Florence G. Berrien of Milford, his aunts Leigh Bak of Milford, Laurie Van Wilgen (William) of Branford. Also, by his cousins, Katharine Mix, Stephen Bak, Emily Paulson (Patrick), Kate Briggs, Elizabeth Berrien, Heather Berrien and Clay Berrien and his grandnephew Elijah Andrew Paulson. He is also survived by stepbrothers William (Erin O'Neill) Bennett and Jon (Casey) Bouchard. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather Allen G. Berrien, his paternal grandparents Mead and Faye Bodick and his uncle Allen D. Berrien.
Andy graduated from Central Grammar School, Harborside Middle School, Fairfield Prep and attended Northeastern University. He spent the bulk of his career working in his family's boatyard, Milford Boat Works, and was truly happiest and in his element when he was on the water. Growing up in your grandparents' boatyard was an amazing way to spend one's childhood and Andy enjoyed unlimited access to nearly every boat in stock and all of the heavy equipment a child could dream of. He spent countless hours chasing fish all over Long Island Sound, often not successfully enough for his taste.
In his early years, Andy was fortunate to have the undivided attention of two pairs of adoring grandparents and enjoyed adventures and special vacations with all of them. He was unseated as the sole heir to the grandparent love fest with the arrival of his cousin Katharine Mix a few years later. Where Andy was initially displeased at the prospect of losing this sole status, a special bond quickly formed, and they turned out to be nearly inseparable. Katharine was as close to a sister as could be imagined. Ten years later the arrival of Stephen and then Emily Bak gave Andy and Katharine some young cousins to school in the fine art of hijinks. Whenever the cousins were together, the most amazing times were had.
Being an only child led Andy to have a wide variety of friends of all ages and all walks of life. His sheer size might lead you to think he was a brute, but he was a gentle giant by nature and a helper to those in need, offering something as simple as a smile or a kind word or an ear to listen. He liked nothing more than to make people smile and he had the personality to accomplish just that. He did not abide those who were unkind to other people or animals, especially bullies. He never met a dog he didn't like and the love he received in return from dogs and other animals he rescued brought him great joy.
Andy's short life was marred twice by cancer, once at the age of 6 and then again, a few years ago. Until the very end, he honestly thought he would beat this disease and if he was still here to tell you this, he'd tell you to take better care of the body you've been given. It was one of his biggest regrets and you often don't get a second chance.
Andy was far from perfect and had some very real struggles and stumbles as he navigated life. But a friend just told me "Andy is still a shining star, he crashed a few times but still shone brightly". I liked her words and I share them here.
How to say thank you to the people who cared for Andy through this final battle with cancer? The acts of kindness and compassion and skill that we witnessed from Dr. Johanna LaSala and her staff at Smilow defy explanation with simple words and the same applies to the absolute angels we encountered at Connecticut Hospice. The caring and dignity that was afforded to him at the end of his life at Hospice when he needed it most leaves me speechless. My heart broke on a daily basis when I saw people who were less fortunate than Andy, people who lacked the resources to have adequate insurance or a proper support system. But that's when I witnessed that the people who work at both of these institutions provide the same care and compassion to EVERYONE. In that vein, if you would like to honor Andy, a gift to Smilow Cancer Center at Yale through his cousin Katharine who is riding in his honor this year at https://www.rideclosertofree.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=30248
or to Connecticut Hospice in Branford https://www.hospice.com/honor-memorial-gifts/ would be a perfect way to do that.
We will hold a gathering in the Spring when we can all be together to celebrate his life; fittingly it will be somewhere near the water's edge, a place that brought him such peace.