John Paul Andrews, devoted father, avid traveler
John Paul Andrews, 94, of Bethany Beach, passed away peacefully with family by his side Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Vero Beach, Fla. John was born in Canandaigua, N.Y., in July 1930, to Arthur and Frances Andrews. He grew up in Rochester, N.Y., and fondly remembered summers at his grandmother’s fruit farm in western New York. He was a graduate of Penfield High School, where he played receiver on the football team and enjoyed photography. He went on to study electromechanical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. While at RPI, he met Grace Carvelli, a student at Skidmore College. They married in 1952 and eventually had four children.
John was drafted into the Army in 1953 and served in West Germany, where he was joined by Grace and their first child. After his discharge, he began his career at IBM in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. The couple also lived in Essex Junction, Vt., Bedford, N.Y., Chatou, France, and Somers, N.Y. He was admired for his good judgment and thoughtfulness as an electromechanical and environmental engineer throughout his tenure at IBM. Perhaps his favorite assignment was as chief safety manager for IBM Europe, where he traveled extensively and immersed himself in European culture.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, he designed and built two houses for his family, and was an active and playful father. He instilled in his children a love of nature, reading, and dogs, and they fondly remember family trips, hiking, and skiing. He generously helped friends and relatives with house projects and car maintenance. With his wit and humor, John made close friends throughout his life in the many places he lived. Those friends were a comfort to him after Grace died in 1994.
In 1996, John retired and moved to Rehoboth, where he golfed, skied, played bridge, and enjoyed planning travel to Europe’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and museums. In 2004, John discovered a mutual love of traveling in Mary Koren, who became his loving partner for the remainder of his life. They traveled extensively, always stopping in his favorite city, Paris, along the way. They also enjoyed time at home with their dog, either in Bethany or Vero Beach, Fla..
John is survived by his partner, Mary; his children, Steven Andrews, Mary Andrews, and Nancy Gaines and son-in-law Pete Gaines; his brother-in-law, Carl Carvell and his wife Amy; Mary’s children, Tracey and Jim Bradley, Drs. Timothy and Rosemary Shiben, and Stephanie and Dusty Snyder; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Grace; his eldest daughter, Jeanne; his son-in-law, Peter Murtha; and sister-in-law, Sigrid Bott and her husband Bill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Maltese Association Rescue, americanmalteserescue.org; or a local dog shelter.
John will be greatly missed by all those who knew him and will be remembered for his humor, gentle nature, and generosity.
A Celebration of John’s Life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 28, at Salt Pond Community Center, 500 Bethany Loop, Bethany Beach.
