John James Mcandrew

John James McAndrew passed away on May 27, 2022, in Durham, NC.  He was born on May 2, 1937, to Katherine and Martin McAndrew in New Rochelle, NY.   John grew up in a happy and active family surrounded by loving siblings (Joe, Buddy, Maureen, Mike, and Chris) and an even larger number of foster children his parents welcomed into their home.  John always said that his early experience of his parents’ devotion to children in need left an indelible imprint on him.

John was always good with numbers, and even better with people.  He graduated with honors from Iona College in 1959 and then went on to enjoy a remarkable forty-year career at IBM, where he had the opportunity to do challenging and rewarding work with people he truly admired.

But the highlight of John’s life was marrying Margaret Elizabeth Considine on May 2, 1964, his 27th birthday.  John and Marge together raised eight children and nineteen grandchildren.   Their children are: Greg (Marie-Helene), Liz, Paul (Jiani), Mark (Christa), Ellen (Shannon), Steve (Tina), Kat (Brendan), and Chris (Hilda).  Their grandchildren are: Claire, Isabella, John, Caroline, Lilly, Colette, Griffin, Teresa, Olivia, Catherine, Grace, Nora, Pauline, Nathan, Thomas, Malcolm, Alec, Jonas, and Kiera.  John is also survived by his sister Maureen (Don), his brother-in-law Jim (Linda),  and a wonderful extended family of  cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Throughout his life John was the person people turned to when they needed to talk --  and when they needed to get something done.  John helped build and sustain so many vibrant communities and embraced so many significant projects, especially those involving children.   John joined Marge in helping thousands of kids grow in their faith and master math for almost  fifty years as teachers at St. Jerome Church in Norwalk, CT, Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River, NJ, and St. Patrick’s School in Jersey City, NJ.   After Marge passed away in 2018, John was grateful for the chance to volunteer in support of children and their families at the Immaculata Catholic School and through the Durham Public Schools Foundation.

John’s family believes that his years in Durham were his most magnificent.  Nurtured by the warm embrace of the Immaculate Conception and Durham communities, John somehow found the strength to care for Marge as they suffered through the final, cruelest stages of Alzheimers with grace and even beauty.  John never lost his patience, his smile, or his faith, and he continued to spread joy right up until he drew his last breath. 

John was a modest man whose deep and active faith enabled him to do so many extraordinary things and touch so many lives over the course of his beautiful life.  His family, friends, and students, and colleagues cherished every moment with John, and we miss him dearly.  We will forever be inspired by his kindness, humor and faith, and find comfort in the thought that John will now be reunited with his best friend Marge.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at the Hall-Wynne Funeral Home, 1113 W. Main Street, Durham, NC.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 810 W. Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC.  All are welcome.

John’s family suggests that in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Durham Nativity School (https://www.durhamnativity.org), the Durham Public Schools Foundation (https://www.bullcityschools.org), the Immaculata Catholic School (https://www.immaculataschool.org), the Duke Dementia Family Support Program (https://www.dukefamilysupport.org), and WNCU (https://www.wncu.org).