Andrew Carl EKSTROM

EKSTROM, Andrew Carl
Andy Ekstrom, age 35, died on August 3, 2010, in Sacramento. He is survived by his parents, Don and Anne Ekstrom of Sacramento and his three siblings and their spouses: Mark and Laura Ekstrom of Williamsburg, Va., Steve and Delia Ekstrom of Richmond, Calif., and Julie and Dan Spiteri of Berkeley, Calif. Born in Sacramento, Andy was a consummate athlete and played starring roles on the baseball and soccer teams at Jesuit High School. Later in life, he trained for and completed five different marathons. Always ready for adventure, he traveled extensively through parts of Asia, Europe and South America, often with one or two close friends. After graduating from UCLA in 1997, Andy displayed a knack for the financial markets in his work for local broker Les Lederer. He earned his MBA from UC Davis and then turned his interests toward real estate. Andy was a driving force in bringing new life to Sacramento's midtown area, both in his off-hours and as a property manager for Heller Pacific's MARRS Building at J and 20th Streets. With a strong sense of civic duty, he served in leadership positions with Metro Edge, a young professionals group in Sacramento, and the Urban Land Institute. A sometimes-zany sense of humor and a willingness to give his time and attention to those who perhaps least expected it, earned him hundreds of friends and a reputation with many as ''the nicest guy I ever met''. Hundreds were expected at a candlelight vigil held outside the MARRS Building Friday night. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 9, 2010, at Trinity Cathedral, 2620 Capitol Ave., Sacramento. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent in Andy's name to a favorite charity, or to the Andy Ekstrom Memorial Fund, River City Bank, 2485 Natomas Park Dr., Sacramento CA 95833; or to the Jesuit High School Andy Ekstrom Memorial Fund, 1200 Jacob Ln., Carmichael, 95608.