Neal Andrew Jr.

CHICHESTER - Neal Andrew Jr., 86, died Nov. 8, 2011, at Epsom Healthcare Center in Epsom, surrounded by his loving family and his wife of 63 years, Betty.

He was born on Sept. 11, 1925, in Canaan, the son of Neal and Blanche (Dustin) Andrew Sr.

He was deputy commissioner of education for the state of New Hampshire.

Dr. Andrew earned his bachelor's degree in 1951 and his master's in 1959 from the University of New Hampshire.

In 1964, he took his family to Columbus, Ohio, where he attended Ohio State University and earned his Ph.D. He taught vocational agriculture, science and mathematics at New Boston High School in New Hampshire from 1950-1955. From 1952-1955, he was the teaching principal for the elementary and high school in New Boston.

From 1955-1966, he was the state director of distributive education and state director of agriculture education for the Department of Education. From 1966-1976, he was the chief of vocational technical education for the Department of Education. He was instrumental in developing secondary and post secondary vocational programs throughout New Hampshire. From 1976-1985, he served as deputy commissioner of education for the state.

He was a member of First Congregational Church in Concord, where he held several offices. He was a member of the Canaan Summit Masonic Lodge. He was also a World War II U.S. Army veteran and from 1943-1946, he served with the 10th Mountain Division in Italy.

In 1948, he married his wife Elizabeth "Betty" Williams, and they went on to live in New Boston, Canterbury, Concord and Chichester. Neal enjoyed traveling with his wife and dog in the RV throughout the 49 U.S. states and many Canadian provinces. He also enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and attended countless games, plays, concerts, recitals and other family events with joy. Neal loved New Hampshire and had a deep and abiding commitment to education in the state of New Hampshire.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth of Chichester; two sons, Wallace Neal Andrew and his wife Carol of Enfield and Warren Dustin Andrew and his wife Jane of Bow; two daughters, Serena Andrew Levine and her husband Jeffrey of Derry and Abbie Jean Andrew and her partner Laurie Grace Sullivan of Grafton; 12 grandchildren, Meaghan Elizabeth Wilson and her husband Geoffrey, Jonathan Davis Andrew and his wife Amanda, Benjamin Mason Andrew and his wife Vanessa, Jillian Ballentine Andrew, Christopher Warren Andrew, Jessica Lynne Lyon and her husband Seth, Nathan Francis Andrew, Joshua Davis Andrew, Jeffrey Paul Andrew, Kailey Jane Andrew, Rachel Elizabeth Levine and Eliana Marjorie Levine; and three great-grandchildren, Emily, Samuel and Paul Wilson; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his three sisters, Ruth Lester, Marion Pauling and Barbara Austin.

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SERVICES: Calling hours are Friday, Nov. 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bennett Funeral Home, 209 N. Main St., Concord. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, at 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 177 N. Main St., Concord.

Interment will be in Canaan Street Cemetery in Canaan at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to First Congregational Church, 177 North Main St., Concord 03301.