John E. D’Andrea
June 10, 1932 – December 13, 2023
John E. D’Andrea of Orangeburg, New York passed away peacefully on December 13, 2023. John was born on June 10, 1932 to James and Mary D’Andrea in their home on McGraw Avenue in the Bronx. He lived with his parents and siblings, Joseph (“Bob”) and Jeanne. He attended Mount Saint Michael Academy and earned his BS Ed and MS Ed from Fordham University, his MA and Professional Diploma at Columbia University Teacher’s College. John also earned an additional academic scholarship to the Middlebury College Graduate Language School. John was a Teaching Assistant at Fordham University and a Kellogg Foundation Scholar at Columbia University Teacher’s College.
His first teaching assignment was at St. Raymond’s Elementary School and St. Nicholas of Tolentine High School in the Bronx. As the newly appointed Director of Admissions and Registrar, John was charged by the New York City Board of Higher Education to be one of the founding fathers of Bronx Community College in 1958. John earned his tenure in the Modern Language Department of Bronx Community College where he served as Chairman and Spanish Professor until his retirement in 1987 with the rank of Professor Emeritus. John later was an Adjunct Professor in Spanish at Montclair State University.
John was an active member of St. Catharine of Alexandria Parish in Blauvelt, New York where he was a volunteer Spanish teacher in St. Catharine’s School, member of the Parish School Board, Parish Trustee, Lector at Mass, and member of the first Parish Council. He managed the Parish Pamphlet, Magazine and Newspaper Rack for approximately thirty years, started the Senior Drive to Sunday Mass Ministry and was St. Catharine Parish 1993 Man of the Year. For many years, John volunteered teaching ESOL at One- to-One Learning at the Marydell Faith and Life Center.
On August 17, 1957 John married Janet F. Tregoning, aka “Jan” to him. They began their married life on Fenton Avenue and later on Williamsbridge Road in the Bronx before settling in Rockland County in Orangeburg, NY in fall of 1963, where they raised three daughters. Most recently John and Janet resided at Garden Hill Senior Townhomes in Pearl River, NY. John and Janet were married for 66 years and met each other in college.
John was a fan of Charles Schultz’ comic strip featuring Charlie Brown, Lucy and Snoopy. He was an avid Italian vegetable gardener, decoupage enthusiast, Boggle and Chinese checkers player, Yankee fan and vigilant grammar fanatic! His family genealogy was of particular interest to him. John and Janet loved to travel and traversed most of the globe. He and Janet spent many wonderful hours together cheering on their daughters and then their eight grandchildren at educational and sports events, theater/music/art performances, and community/civic events.
John was predeceased by his parents, James and Mary D’Andrea, his siblings Joseph (Mary) D’Andrea and Jeanne (Ray) Price, several beloved nephews, and a niece. He is survived by his wife Janet, children Mary Ellen, Anne (David Ring), Joan (Thomas Bertussi), grandchildren Ellen Ring (Ryan Flanagan), Mary Elizabeth Hoffman, Grace Ring (Cody Huffman), Julia, Victoria, Thomas, Isabelle and Louis Bertussi and great grandson, Theodore David Flanagan. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in the name of John E. D’Andrea to Mount Saint Michael Academy, Bronx, NY. https://www.mtstmichael.org/giving.jsp
