Andrew J. "Andy" Terracciano

Waterford - Andrew "Andy" J. Terracciano, 79, of Waterford, passed away March 28, 2015, surrounded by his loving family after a short illness. Andy was the devoted and loving husband to Ingrid E. Terracciano for nearly 59 years and the founder of the well-known shoreline bakery, Flanders Donut & Bake Shop East Lyme.

Born Sept. 18, 1935, as the son of the late Anthony Terracciano and Henrietta "Alice" (Lignetta) Terracciano, Andy was a fourth generation baker. He owned and operated Flanders Donut & Bake Shop alongside his wife Ingrid and four children for 30 years until his son, Greg, decided to carry on the family tradition. His donuts, bagels, pastries, and cakes have been shared with generations of patrons in the shoreline community and beyond.

Andy took great pride in his family, bakery, pigeon hobby, and was an enchanting storyteller. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and opa. He took joy in cheering his kids and grandkids on from the sidelines at their sporting events. He was a life member of the New London Lodge of the Elks 360 and a member of the German Cultural Society. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany when he met his wife Ingrid.

Since the age of six, he has passionately raised domestic show and flying pigeons. He was the founder of three pigeon clubs, the Eastern Connecticut Pigeon Association, New London County Racing Club, and Thames Valley Racing Club. He was one of the organizers of the National Shortface Tumbler and a member of the National Pigeon Association. His favorite breed was the English Shortface Baldheads. He was awarded the Master Breeders Award in 1995 by the National Pigeon Association. It was said that he had the best Shortface Baldheads in the world.

Andy is survived by his wife, Ingrid, his lifelong partner and love of his life. He is also survived by his four children, a son, Greg Terracciano, wife, Nancee and their children, AJ, Ryan, Danny, and Laura; a daughter, Gina Terracciano (Feeney) and her children, Brittney and Nick; a daughter, Tina Steele, husband, Richard, and their children, Brian, Scott, and Jason; and a son, Tony Terracciano, wife, Christine, and their children, Sophia, Rocco, and Vienna, all of Waterford. He is also survived by a sister, Patricia Romano of New London, many nieces, nephews, and many close friends.

He was predeceased by his sister, Marie and brother, Angelo "Gene."

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, at Impelliteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, at St. Agnes Church, 22 Haigh Ave., Niantic. Interment will follow at Jordan Cemetery, Boston Post Road, Waterford.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association or the New London Burn Foundation, 239 Bank St., New London, CT 06320.