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Recent Obituaries of Classmates and Spouses

This reporting of sad events starts now and does not go back to pick up obituaries from earlier days. The content is not exhaustive by any means as obituaries might not be published for any number of reasons. The page is organized as “Last in, Top Listed!”. Obituaries will be retained for some reasonable time and then removed. Thus this page is more current events than historical repository. In that sense, this page serves as an adjunct to “Last Call”in Shipmate. If anyone knows of a recent obituary that has not been published herein, please advise your Webmeister at [email protected].

Richard H. Spackman (May 18, 1934 - October 1, 1924)

Richard Harry Spackman passed away on October 1, 2024, in La Jolla, CA. Known as “Spack”, he was born in Evanston, IL, on May 18, 1934, to H.B. and Jane Spackman. His older brother, Bob, was killed on Okinawa during WWII.

As a toddler Spack moved to Aurora, IL, where he graduated from West Aurora High School before leaving to continue his education at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Following his graduation in 1957, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. (This predates the Air Force Academy). Shortly after graduation he married Anne Caughey, whom he had met and fallen in love with in kindergarten.

While in the US Air Force, Spack was a fighter jet electronics officer until he was assigned by USAF Headquarters to serve on classified duty on Mindanao in The Philippines. During his years in the military, Spack and Anne lived in Biloxi, MS; Albuquerque, NM; Denver, CO; Douglas, WY; and Sacramento, CA. Spack retired from military service in 1965 as a Captain.

Spack joined the Bell System in San Diego in 1965. For six years he worked as an engineer for Pacific Telephone before being transferred to New York City, where he was a Financial Manager for AT&T, working on Wall Street. He commuted from their home in Ridgewood, NJ. Four years later he moved to Los Angeles, where he and his family resided for 41 years. He was General Plant Manager of two Western Electric plants in Los Angeles and Phoenix before retiring in 1989. In 2017, Spack and Anne moved to La Jolla, CA.

Spack is survived by Anne, his wife of 67 years; three daughters, Linda Spackman (Ted Harrison) of Santa Fe, NM, Susan (Arvind) Panjabi of Fort Collins, CO, Jane (David) Sarath of Ridgefield, CT; and a son, Dr. Andrew Spackman of San Diego. Grandchildren are Josh, Sam, Peter and Annie Sarath; Eliza Harrison; and Cameron and Donovan Panjabi.

Spack and Anne’s travels include trips on the Yangtze, Nile, Amazon, Mississippi and Danube Rivers. They played golf, tennis and ping pong together. For his 90th birthday, he went paragliding and was surprised by his family at the landing. Spack’s favorite activity was spending time with his family, whom he adored.

A celebration of life was held at White Sands, La Jolla, on December 16 at 3:30 pm.

Robert Foss (February 15, 1935 - February 3, 2025)

Robert Foss passed away on February 3, 2025 in Potomac Falls, Virginia. He was born on February 15, 1935 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Stephen and Margaret Foss. Bob attended the United States Naval Academy followed by a career in the Navy. He met and married June Nickerson. Bob and June moved into Falcons Landing in August of 2019. Bob is predeceased by his loving wife, June and is survived by his sons, Gregory and Colin; and step-daughter, Elizabeth.

Jefferson R. Dennis Jr. (September 15, 1935 - December 29, 2024)

Jeff Dennis of Coronado, CA passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2024. Obituary will be published when known.

Forrest R. Hanvey (2 May 1933 - 4 December, 2024)

Forrest Robert Hanvey, Jr of Fairfax Station Virginia died on Wednesday December 4, 2024 at age 91. He was predeceased by his wife of 44 years Suzanne Monnett Hanvey and son Dennis Taylor Hanvey, and survived by daughters Monnett H. Soldo and Jacqueline H. Hines, son Forrest R. Hanvey, III, eight grandchildren, his second wife Sylvia Auton, her daughter and two grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. Services are being planned for Virginia and Prince Frederick, MD.

Bob Hanvey, as he was known for much of his life, was born in San Diego, California on May 2, 1933. He attended middle and high school at the Army Navy Academy in Carlsbad, California and then went on to study at Caltech. He completed his undergraduate studies at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he played on the tennis team and graduated first in his class in 1957. Upon graduation he was commissioned in the Air Force, and attended the Charles Stark Draper Lab program for inertial guidance at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he obtained a master's degree in aerospace engineering. He was stationed at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, where he worked on rocket sled testing and developed inertial guidance systems for missiles, which were tested at the White Sands Missile Range. On one occasion, he flew a missile from New Mexico that landed near Cape Canaveral to prove his work on inertial guidance systems. Mr. Hanvey received a special commendation for this groundbreaking work, which was instrumental in testing and validating the stellar-aided inertial guidance concepts later employed by the U.S. Navy as our first line of defense. After leaving active duty, he joined Western Union, where he led the team developing their first programmable line interface, the WU DES PLI. A type of computing device similar to a minicomputer, this programmable device in 1985 allowed WU teleprinters to access and operate in the phone system as if they were a phone. After serving as Vice President of Systems Engineering at Western Union, Mr. Hanvey then joined Citicorp as Vice President of Communications Systems. Retiring to Southern Maryland, he wanted to pass on some of his technical expertise to future generations, so he took education courses and became certified as a teacher, developing the first curriculum for and then teaching courses in Computer Assisted Design. Mr. Hanvey has been a school board chair, a National Education Association local president and the Calvert County Teacher of the Year. Following his first wife's death in 2002, he remarried and traveled extensively with his new wife Sylvia Auton.



Barbara Fappiano Spillane (August 14, 1935 - December 11, 2024)

Barbara Fappiano Spillane, a woman of unmatched grace, beauty, and love, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2024, surrounded by her children. She was 89 years old.

Born on August 14,1935, Barbara was the beloved daughter of Rita and Robert Fappiano of New Haven Connecticut. She graduated from Albertus Magnus College in the class of 1957. On June 6, 1959, she married James Jerome "Jerry" Spillane, a young Naval Academy graduate in a ceremony that marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership filled with love, adventure, and unwavering devotion.

Together, Barbara and Jerry built a family founded on a deep bond and commitment that withstood every challenge. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Tim and Anne Spillane of Virginia Beach, VA, her daughter Ellen Levine of St. Ynez, CA, and her daughter Clare Spillane of Salisbury, MD.

Her love for them was boundless, and she was especially devoted to her 13 grandchildren, Jessie and her husband John, Jake, Leah, Sadie, Renee, Connor, Megan, Evan, Christa, Chloe, Lizzie and her husband Kris, Hannah and her fiancé Brad, and Zeth.

Her children and grandchildren were always on her mind and in her heart until her very last breath and their lives were enriched by her nurturing presence, boundless affection, devotion and wisdom. She was predeceased by her beloved son, Andy and her husband Jerry who both passed on in 2020. Though they are now reunited in spirit, Barbara’s legacy continues through the lives of her children and grandchildren, who will carry forward her love, wisdom, and unmatched beauty.

Barbara is also survived by her dedicated and loving sister Janet and her husband Gen. Robert Brady of Ellicott City, MD and her nieces Pamela, Carole, Suzzanne and her nephew Micheal and their spouses and children. She is also survived by her college roommate and lifelong best friend, Carol Euston. Her love for them, and for all who were fortunate to be in her life, will forever remain a guiding light.

As a Navy wife, she moved countless times around the country, which led to her expertise in real estate and career as a top selling realtor in Virginia Beach for decades. All other times, if she wasn’t visiting and playing with her grandchildren, you could find her at the beach reading a novel or working in her beautiful and impressive gardens. She loved traveling across the country and visiting all of the National Parks, and she was an avid bird watcher. You couldn’t touch her skills with Jeopardy, crossword puzzles, and board games. She collected the elegant Roseville pottery and figures of her favorite bird of prey, the Owl. Her appreciation of literature and music will be carried on by those she inspired. She loved animals, especially Pembroke Welsh Corgis, one of which was by her side as she took her last breath.

Her family wants to extend gratitude to First Colonial Inn Assisted Living for making her last three years so comfortable, and a special heartfelt thank you to Wings Over Virginia Hospice and in addition Elsa Powers and Analiza Hayes, her caregivers for the past ten months that took such great care of her and gave her tender love and compassion during her final stage of life.

There will be a burial service at the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery on January 10, 2025 at 3 pm followed by a celebration of life at the home of Tim and Anne Spillane.

Mom, you will always be in our hearts, a cherished mother, grandmother, and friend. Your love is eternal, and your beauty—both inner and outer—will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, sweet soul.

Suzanne Stewart Weissinger (August 28, 1940 – December 6, 2024)

Suzanne “Suzy” Stewart Weissinger, 84, of Annapolis died at Sunrise Senior Living on December 6. She leaves her loving husband of 56 years, Thomas “Tom” Ransom Weissinger.

Suzy was born in Atlanta, Georgia in August 1940 to the late Louise Haynes Stewart and George Stewart. In her youth, she made friends that lasted throughout her lifetime. She attended North Fulton High School in Atlanta before matriculating to the University of Georgia, thus being the third generation of her family to graduate from there. While there she served as the president of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.

With her degree in journalism, she was employed by the Georgia State Senate and later by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. A move to Washington, D.C. brought significant changes, including being recruited by the U.S. Commerce Department to serve in the Tourism Service, and meeting and marrying the love of her life, Tom, in February 1968.

Following their wedding, Suzy began her life as a Navy wife. The family lived in Hanover, MA, Newport, RI, Pensacola, FL, London, England, and Keflavik, Iceland before settling in Annapolis MD. With her deep love for travel, Suzy traveled to five continents with Tom and instilled that passion in her children.

By the time they moved to Annapolis, the Weissinger family included two children. In addition to being "Aunt Suzy" to a large Weissinger family, she and Tom continued to share their love with others by sponsoring midshipmen from the US Naval Academy. Suzy became affectionately known as “Mom Y” to all of the mids and their friends. In yet another extension to the family, she also became Mom Y to a Spanish exchange student, David Antelo. Those connections remained until her death.

While juggling motherhood and a career, she stayed quite busy. Among her many endeavors were serving as the editor of Navy Wives Club newspaper, handling marketing and advertising for Parole Plaza, developing and teaching in the Travel Program at Fleet Business School, and writing two successful Tourism textbooks. Suzy also managed to earn her Master’s Degree in Tourism from George Washington University while working full time. Her other interests included volunteering at the Paca House and the Charles Carroll House, both in Annapolis, as well as being an avid reader and bridge player.

Suzy's faith was strong, growing up Baptist and then joining the Episcopal Church with Tom. Once in Annapolis, she became a longtime member of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Daniel "Dan" Stewart. Besides her husband, Suzy leaves her two devoted children, Tom (Karen) and Georgianna, and her grandchildren Allison and Andrew.


Robert L. Crouch (December 2, 1934 - November 3, 2024)

Captain Robert (Bob) L. Crouch, USN (Ret), passed away on November 3, 2024, in Fairfax, Virginia, at the age of 89.

Born in Florence, South Carolina, on December 2, 1934, Bob graduated from high school in 1952 before attending Clemson College for one year. He then received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated with the Class of 1957. Upon commissioning as an Ensign in the Supply Corps, he attended the Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, Georgia.

His Navy career spanned over 28 years, starting as Supply Officer on the USS H.J. Ellison (DD-864) based in Norfolk, Virginia. He specialized in resale, logistics systems, computer systems, and financial management, serving at locations including Naval Station Trinidad, Naval Training Center Bainbridge, MD, and Staff Commander in Chief Pacific in Pearl Harbor. His Washington, D.C. assignments included roles at the Naval Data Automation Command and as Vice Commander of the Navy Accounting and Finance Center. In 1981, he became Commanding Officer of the Navy Finance Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

Bob also served as an instructor at the Naval Academy and as faculty at the National Defense University. His commendations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit Awards, and three Meritorious Service Medals. He retired from active duty in 1985.

Following his retirement from the Navy, Bob served as Vice President of the Navy Mutual Aid Association and earned professional degrees as a Chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriter.

Bob was an avid golfer and a long-time member of the Army Navy Country Club, where he served on the Board of Governors for over 12 years, including roles as Treasurer and President.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Nancy; daughter, Donna J. Tanner (Mike) of Ashburn, VA; son, Robert A. Crouch (Judy) of Cary, NC; four grandchildren: Lindsay, Amanda, Nicole, and Jared; and seven great-grandchildren: Riley, Brooke, Jack, Charleigh, Luke, Shea, and Ayla.

A long-time member of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Annandale, Virginia, Bob will be honored with a Celebration of Life service at St. Matthew’s on December 16, 2024, at 11:00 AM, followed by a reception at the Army Navy Country Club in Fairfax. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date, for family and close friends.

The Captain has answered the last call…Fair winds and following seas.


Angelo M. Inglisa (August 24, 1934 - October 30, 2024)

Angelo Mario Inglisa, 90, of Jacksonville, NC, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, in Wilmington, NC.

On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, a closed-casket Viewing will be held from 9:15-10:15 AM, at the Infant of Prague Catholic Church, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM, with Rev. J. Victor Gournas celebrating. Deacon James (Jim) Marapoti will conduct the committal service at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery at 12:00 PM, directly following the funeral mass.

Mr. Inglisa was born in Reading, PA, to Angelo and Salvatrice “Sophie” (Macaluso) Inglisa. He graduated from the US Naval Academy with an Engineering Degree in 1957, served during the Korean and Vietnam War Periods, and completed several tours in Vietnam as a Data Systems Officer and Field Artillery Officer in the Pacific Region, with the 3rd Marine Division, before retiring as a USMC Major.

He was preceded in death by both his parents; his loving wife of 53 years, Dorothy (Burke) Inglisa in 2015; his Brother, Philip Inglisa; his Sister, Sebastiana Coccia; Brothers-In-Law, Joseph J. Burke, James J. Burke, Raymond Wellington, Jr., Thomas Strane, James Williamson, and Charles C. Meredith; Sisters-In-Law: Florene (Sychterz) Inglisa, Lois (Mackie) Inglisa, Patricia (Burke) Williamson, and Jeannine (Burke) Meredith.

He is survived by: Brother, Domenic R. Inglisa of Newark, DE, and Brother-In-Law, Joseph Coccia of Phoenixville, PA.

Surviving sisters-in-law include: Ruth (Burke) Wellington of Montgomery, AL, Mary (Burke) Strane of Eatonton, GA, and Susan (Bennett) Burke of Draper, UT

Mr. Inglisa is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews (and their children), and a loving circle of truly cherished friends & neighbors, especially Jerry & Marge, Kevin & Deb, Cory, and Betty, as well as his “Church Family”, including Deacon Jim.

The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon, immediately following the graveside services, at the Infant of Prague Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Infant of Prague Church, their School Fund, “Come Grow With Us” (205 Chaney Ave., Jacksonville, NC 28540), or the charity of your choice.

Susan Jo McCormick Wright (February 23, 1940 - September 25, 2024)

Susan Jo McCormick Wright died peacefully in her family home on September 25, 2024 in Shoreline, Washington. She was remarkable, beautiful, and 84.

Susan was independent, strong and loving. She was a lady of presence with a sharp sense of humor who went to bat for those in need. She enjoyed bringing people together, gardening, cooking, absorbing good books, and watching Turner Classic Movies hosted by her favorite cousin Bob Osborne. Susan liked old Methodist hymns, bluegrass and country music, Edith Piaf, and baseball. She loved a "Denver day" of bright blue skies, writing her epistles, crosswords, and the Blue Angels. Her life was filled with family and friends.

Susan was born February 23, 1940 in Grand Junction, Colorado to Helen Evelyn (nee Jolin) and Hayden Dorse McCormick. She attended Denver's East High School and the University of Colorado before setting off to see the world. She lived in Honolulu, Washington, D.C., and San Diego where she met the adventurous Navy Lieutenant Commander Arthur St. Clair Wright. They were married in San Diego on May 4, 1968, and three years later, were the parents of three little girls. The family moved through duty stations in Monterey, Calif; Yokosuka, Japan; Stuttgart, Germany; San Diego, Washington D.C., and Seattle.

Susan was expert at moving children and household goods across oceans. She was an officer's wife who brought charm and warmth to military social functions. When the ship came in, parties filled the house. Reunions and gatherings were a part of life. Christmas parties were epic.

In 1984, Art retired from the Navy and the Wrights moved to Shoreline. While Art continued to sail the seven seas as a marine geophysicist, Susan shepherded their daughters through high school and out into the world telling them, "The greatest
gift I can give you is the gift of independence," and "Write your thank you notes."

She began every day with a thorough study of the New York Times, Seattle Times, and Everett Herald. She relished her time with the Naval Officers Wives Club, garden club, bridge group and Bowling Jocks but it was in her own garden where she could most often be found. She transformed her lawn into an overflowing garden sanctuary. Nightly family dinners by candlelight were lively affairs with a place always for unexpected guests. She was a most beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend whose wit and appreciative laugh drew people to her.

Surviving are Susan's husband Art, their children; Rebecca Stedman (Trent), Sarah Rivera (Ray), and Amy Wright; eight grandchildren Estelle, Carolina, Arthur, Ainsley,and Susannah Stedman; Joseph,Pyeatt, and Salley Rivera; her sister,Linda Bigham; brother in law, Dr. Henry T. Wright (Frances); nephews and nieces Dean, Robert (Beth), Jason (Denise), Michael (Mega), Catharine, Ruffin (Violette), Joshua, Hardian (Samantha), Harisa and their families.

A private reception celebrating Susan's life will be held in Seattle in December. She will be interred at the U. S. Naval Academy Cemetery, Annapolis, Maryland


James Richard Poole (March 13, 1935 - September 26, 2024)

Captain James. Richard Poole, USN (Ret.), age 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 26, 2024 at his home in Alexandria, Virginia under hospice care for Parkinson’s.

Captain Poole was a natural leader, an outstanding naval officer, a gentleman, and a family man. He loved his naval career, Navy football, golf - and the love of his life, Virginia Ruth Gillen of Brooklyn, Michigan. They were married 43 years.

Captain Poole was born on March 13, 1935 in Cleveland, Ohio to James Selby Poole and Gladys Evelyn Taylor. Captain Poole was from a well-traveled United States Navy family when he entered The Ohio State University in 1952. Captain Poole received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in 1953 and graduated with the Class of 1957.

Following graduation, Captain Poole completed duty as the 15th Company Officer indoctrinating the incoming members of the Class of 1961. His first sea duty assignment was aboard the USS O’HARE (DDR-889) serving as Gunnery Officer until June 1959 when he attended Submarine School in New London, Connecticut. Upon completion of Submarine School, Captain Poole reported to USS ARGONAUT (SS-475) serving in a variety of billets leading to his qualification in submarines. He subsequently served in USS TORSK (SS-423) as Weapons Officer and Operations Officer. He next attended the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California where he received an Electrical Engineering degree. Captain Poole reported to USS FRANCIS SCOTT KEY (SSBN-657) (GOLD) and completed two POLARIS deterrent patrols before becoming the Executive Officer on the USS GRAMPUS (SS-523). In March 1970 he reported to the Commander Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet Staff (COMSUBLANT) in Norfolk, Virginia as Strategic Missile Systems Officer where he served until September 1971. In September 1973 Captain Poole served as Executive Officer in USS CAMDEN (AOE-2) for two years before assuming command of USS NORTON SOUND (AVM-1) in Port Hueneme, California where he participated in the first at-sea tests of the AEGIS Weapon System. Following command of the USS NORTON SOUND in 1975, Captain Poole reported to the AEGIS Shipbuilding Project (PMS-400), Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in Arlington, Virginia where he served as Test and Evaluation Manager and Fleet Introduction Manager until 1978. Continuing his association with the AEGIS Program, Captain Poole next served as the NAVSEA Technical Representative for AEGIS at the RCA Engineering and Production Facility in Moorestown, New Jersey until November 1981. He completed his active-duty career as the Deputy for Operations at the United States Naval Academy in February 1985.

Captain Poole continued supporting the Navy as a consultant after his retirement. He worked for Advanced Technology, Incorporated in Arlington, Virginia for three years before establishing Poole Enterprises, Incorporated. Upon retirement Captain Poole lived in the Mount Vernon area of Alexandria, Virginia.

Captain Poole is survived by his wife Virginia Gillen, sister Heather Pollock and her two children, Zackary (Max) and Taylor (Lydia), first wife Doris Mae Davies and their two children, Mark Richard (Beth) and Ruth Yvonne (Dr. Richard Henshaw), three grandchildren, Mark Jr., Christopher (Alex), and Elizabeth (Christopher), and four great-grandchildren (Henry, Christopher, Charles, and James).

A Remembrance Service will be held October 26, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Demaine Funeral Home in Alexandria, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choosing. Jim will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

The Captain answered the Last Call…Fair winds and following seas!!!
Go Navy, Beat Army!!

Marvin O. Morris (March 27, 1933 - September 26 2024)

A brief preview from Bill Peerenboom: Mo was in our 3rd Company - a very nice man. He was a turnback (academic) from '55, He stayed with us for about a year and then failed out academically again and was unable to get readmitted. His father was the head of the Naal Academy Band - and their house was directly across the street from Gate 2 - so we all used it as a drag house. He used to come to our reunions back when we made it a point to have a dinner or something during Homecoming. I was briefly in touch with him a couple years back - he lived over on the eastern shore in Trappe, MD.

Marvin Oliphant Morris of Trappe died on Sept 26th, 2024.

He was born to Alexander & Rose Morris on March 27th, 1933 in Washington D.C. He attended Annapolis Senior High School, Severn School, the U.S. Naval Academy and DC Teacher College. He taught in public schools in Washington D.C. and Anne Arundel County and later worked for a home improvement store in Annapolis.

He was a member of SS Peter and Paul & St Mary Refuge of Sinners Churches. He was a lifetime member of the Regina Coeli Chapter of the Knights of Columbus. He was known for his unique sense of humor. He enjoyed the Orioles and especially his family. He coached indoor soccer at the YMCA and considered Bishop Fulton Sheen to be the keenest mind of the 20th Century.

He is survived by his loving wife Rosemary of 52 years and six children- Brian (Reka), Danny (Nicole), Alex (Christina), Peter (Bonnie), Michael (Lauren), and Julie Giantisco (Dave). He loved his grandchildren Sofia, Viviana, Lina, Caliana, Jonah, Siena, Kaspian, Eloise, Juliette, Lucia, Tessa, Stella, Neve, Isabella, Bridget, Bennett and Elora. He is also survived by two brothers Alexander (Carol) and Charles (Bunny) and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Barbara DeLesseps and nephew Edward Dedrickson.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Refuge of Sinners, 1515 Glasgow St, Cambridge, MD 21613 on Friday Oct 4th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the St Vincent de Paul Society of St. Mary, 2000 Hambrooks Blvd Cambridge, Md 21613, The Trappe Volunteer Fire Department PO Box 86 Trappe, Md 21673 or the Talbot County Free Library 100 W Dover St Easton, Md 21601 would be appreciated.


Andrew S. Massimino (10/9/1934 - 8/24/2024)

Andrew S. Massimino, 89, passed away peacefully at his Dallas, Texas home on August 24, 2024, in the company of his loving family.

Born in 1934 in Russellton, Pennsylvania, to Italian immigrants Enrico and Marguerite Massimino, Andrew grew up steeped in the values of family, faith, hard work, and caring for others. These values shaped his character and guided him throughout his life.

As a young child, Andrew watched his father go off to work in the coal mines every day while his mother tended a massive backyard garden that produced food for the family. Rich in love, the family’s financial means were modest, and Andrew, an outstanding student-athlete, did not envision college in his future. But one of his West Deer High School teachers, Miss Christine Lambert, saw something special in Andrew and encouraged him to seek a nomination to the United States Naval Academy. The power of that encouragement never left him, and it changed the trajectory of his life. He received a congressional appointment to the Academy in 1953 and headed to Annapolis.

During his four years at the Academy, Andrew excelled in academics, athletics, and leadership. He was a member of the “illustrious” Third Company, which achieved top ranking out of 30 his senior year. Perhaps an obvious choice to be President of the Italian Club, Andrew was also captain of the varsity baseball team and excelled at soccer, a sport he had never played before entering the Academy. He was a member of the varsity soccer team his junior and senior years and was selected All-American both years. In his senior year, Andrew was awarded the annual Thompson Trophy, which recognizes the midshipman who has done the most for the promotion of athletics at the Academy. (Roger Staubach and David Robinson later followed in those size 9 footsteps!) These accomplishments would eventually lead to his induction into the U.S. Naval Academy Athletics Hall of Fame. Andrew graduated with distinction in June 1957, an Ensign in the U.S. Navy.

After serving two years on the USS Boston, the world’s first guided missile cruiser, Andrew completed the US Naval Submarine School curriculum. In June 1959, he married his high school sweetheart, Frances Bonadio, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and they began their grand adventure of married life in spectacular fashion. With orders to report to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for service on board the USS Tiru, the couple embarked on an epic month-long honeymoon, driving their 1957 Chevy Bel Air across the country to San Francisco, where they boarded the SS Matsonia and headed to sea.

When he arrived on the base at Pearl Harbor, the commanding admiral, who had learned of Andrew’s athletic achievements at the Academy, gave the young ensign an unusual assignment: put together and coach a Sub-Pac basketball team that could beat the Marines stationed nearby. Andrew said “Aye, aye,” recruited players from all over the United States, persuaded them to join the Navy, and delivered a winning season. On the back of that success, Andrew’s next assignment from the admiral was to serve not on a ship or submarine, but as second baseman on the Sub-Pac baseball team. That experience featured a sports diplomacy tour of Japan and culminated in a Field-of-Dreams-type game back in Hawaii against the San Francisco Giants, who would go on to win the National League pennant the following year. Andrew often told the story of struggling against major-league pitching that day, but his family cherished hearing the real highlight of that game, where Andrew tagged out Willie Mays, the “Say Hey Kid,” at second base.

The young couple enjoyed their adventure in Hawaii, but after two years of trying to fit studying for his submarine qualification exams in between basketball and baseball games, it was time to get down to business. Andrew was selected to join the elite nuclear power program, and he and Fran were sent to Vallejo, California, where Andrew attended the USS Naval Nuclear Power School. After that, the reality of Navy life set in.

Seven moves in nine years—with a new child born at every other stop—kept life hectic and exciting. Following training at the operational reactor site in Ballston Spa, New York, Andrew began his nuclear submarine service in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where the USS John Adams was under construction, and then with the USS Ethan Allen in New London, Connecticut, and later Newport News, Virginia. The family moved to Charleston, South Carolina in 1968, where Andrew qualified for command and completed an executive officer tour on the USS Haddo. During that period, with the Cold War in full swing, the Haddo was involved in clandestine operations crucial to intelligence gathering for which Andrew was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. It would be decades before his family knew any particulars of that story.

In 1969, Andrew was selected for early promotion to Commander and was hand-picked by the infamously particular Admiral Hiram Rickover, “father of the nuclear Navy,” to join his staff at the Pentagon. Andrew and Fran sold the house in Charleston—the first they had ever owned—and prepared to move the family to Washington, DC. But the universe had other plans.

In January of 1970, Andrew started experiencing intense headaches and sudden vision disruption. He reported to the ship’s infirmary and was immediately hospitalized. For weeks, as his health inexplicably deteriorated, the four children were watched over by supportive neighbors and shipmates, enabling Fran to spend most of her days by his side. As Andrew’s condition worsened and became critical, Fran was told to prepare for the worst. But a young Navy doctor, Paul Chodroff, refused to give up on the rising star. He suspected a brain abscess, but without modern diagnostic tools, the only way to confirm his hunch was exploratory brain surgery. That surgery saved Andrew’s life.

Thanks to Dr. Chodroff’s skill and courage, Andrew had the opportunity to live a full and rewarding life with Fran and their children—just not the one they had expected. The physical impairment left by the abscess—diminished peripheral vision and massive memory loss—derailed Andrew’s promising Navy career. At age 35, with four young children, he had to start over. While he considered many options—in real estate development, the nuclear power industry, even law school—ultimately, Andrew found his next great challenge and opportunity in Dallas, Texas, with Electronic Data Systems, a computer processing company founded and run by H. Ross Perot (USNA 1953). Hired directly by Mr. Perot without a title or even a clear career path, Andrew jumped right into the mission and the culture—do your job, build a team, and follow the chain of command. While his background as a nuclear engineer wasn’t directly relevant, Andrew adapted and quickly worked his way up the management line. He took "command" of the Data Center on Forest Lane, trained and mentored hundreds of young professionals getting their start in a new field, and wrapped up his time at EDS managing the health benefits program. After 26 years of hard work, loyalty, and contributions instrumental to the company’s success, Andrew retired to home life.

In those early Dallas years, Fran and Andrew discovered a new paradigm—co-parenting. Civilian life provided stability of place; they moved only once more, a half mile down the road a few years after their fifth child (and only true Texan) was born. Andrew became an actively present father in a way Navy life hadn’t allowed. The adventures were mostly inland now as Andrew became Captain of the Station Wagon, steering the family through multiple summer vacations, often “home” to Pennsylvania. It was important for Andrew and Fran to visit family and connect their children to their roots. When the family outgrew the station wagon it was on to the passenger van, customized in Dallas Cowboys' colors. To further prove his new Texas pride, he bought the kids a horse named Star and rode her from the stables to the family home one Christmas morning. Andrew made time to coach youth soccer for a few fantastic years and 6th-grade girls’ basketball for precisely one. Known affectionately as “the Tic-Tac man,” Andrew’s fondness for the mint was betrayed by the rattle in his pocket as he ran practices and checked on injured players. That rattle meant help was on its way. He later took on leadership roles at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, serving as president of the Parish Council and then the Men’s Club. The call to serve never left him, even in retirement. When a former EDS colleague asked if he would be willing to volunteer with a non-profit, he leveraged his exceptional management skills and became a volunteer CEO with Medisend, developing their business plan and shipping life-saving medical supplies and equipment to communities in need all over the world.

Retirement years also allowed Andrew and Fran time to enjoy trips to Italy, Great Britain, Canada, and Mexico, cruises around Alaska and off the coast of Spain, and multiple visits to see their children and grandchildren, good friends, and of course, dear relatives. Andrew and Fran’s loving partnership—a model of stability, respect, and service to one another—is inspiring to many but especially to their children. Andrew and Fran never took their blessings for granted, and their gratitude was present and visible in their daily lives together. As each of their children chose life partners, Andrew and Fran’s actions proved their unwavering belief in family unity. They let all spouses know they were vital to the team and that they brought great enrichment to their lives.

One of the great unifiers the family shared over the years was a love of music, a constant in Andrew’s life. Listening to Enrico Caruso as a child and performing in a high school operetta later led to a varied record collection and ultimately introducing his children to the wonderful “music of his life.” The joy he found in singing and dancing—actively participating in music—was apparent to anyone within earshot or in sight of him at a wedding reception. At church, his voice could be heard booming with spirit. He cherished his time performing with the Dallas Town North Barbershop Chorus and participating in the Society for the Preservation of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, where he was named Barbershopper of the Year in 1982. At home, whenever Fran sat down to the piano, she would call him in to revisit a few of their favorites, even if he sometimes made up the words (and if they were in Italian, no one knew the difference).

Andrew loved to cook, especially for a crowd. Food was his love language, and he learned it from the best. His mother’s gnocchi and biscotti, his sister Marge’s ravioli and nut roll, and so many other family recipes handed down on index cards smeared with tomato sauce and dotted with butter—these are the smells and tastes of a lifetime of deliciousness. Andrew made homemade pizza for parties and kids’ sleepovers and turned regular Sunday dinners into feasts—often accompanied by somewhat challenging cleanups! But if you ate at Andrew and Fran's table, you left happy and full—and sometimes with leftovers.

Andrew always felt that his life after the brain surgery was a gift, and he paid it forward in countless acts of generosity and kindness to colleagues, relatives, friends, and even strangers who he quietly helped in times of trial or trouble. His life was centered around love for his family, pride in his heritage, a devout relationship with his Creator and Redeemer, and loyalty to the country that gave him, a first-generation American, so many opportunities.

In his final weeks, Andrew enjoyed visits and phone calls from loving family and friends. There were many happy hours laughing together and reminiscing about a life filled with love and adventure and gratitude for so many blessings. The binders of photos and family history that Andrew painstakingly assembled over the last 15 years tell the story of his life and the family he and Frances built together. What a precious gift to his children, their children, and the generations to come.

Andrew was predeceased by his parents and his beloved older sisters, Theresa and Marge. Left behind to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 65 years, Frances, and their five children: Elisa and husband Pierre Donahue and their children, Carmella, Mia, and Dominic; Michele and husband Joseph Corr; Maria and husband James Stanley and their children Olivia and Anthony; Andrew and wife Kelly Sanford and their children Rocco, Ramona, Desmond, Augustus, and Ignatius; and Julia and wife Lynda Vargha and their son, Jude.

The entire family will be forever grateful to all the nurses, lab techs, doctors, nurse practitioners, and staff at Texas Oncology Infusion Center in Dallas, who provided outstanding care over the last 18 months of Andrew's life.

Andrew lived a life that exemplified the adage: service is the rent we pay for living. His family hopes that you might consider honoring him with service—whether it's to your family, your spouse, your community, your God, a cause, or your country.

Richard B. Nygaard (1/12/1935 - 7/11/2024)

Captain Richard “Dick” Nygaard of Virginia Beach, Virginia, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2024, surrounded by his loving family and leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering strength. He was 89 years old.

Dick was born on January 12, 1935, the son of Norma Jean and Donald P. Nygaard in the small town of Alcester, South Dakota (population 750). Graduating with honors from Alcester high school, Dick proudly earned an appointment to the United States Naval Academy and graduated with 20th company, class of 1957. As a midshipman, he was a member of the concert band, Chapel choir, and glee club, where he eventually met the love of his life, Sandra Barnum when they were singing the Messiah together.

After a June Week chapel wedding, he and Sandy began a distinguished 25 year adventure in the Navy Supply Corps. His career took them to duty stations in Athens Georgia, Naples Italy, Washington DC and Lawrence Kansas, where he earned a double masters in petroleum engineering and business management. From there, it was back to DC, then across the country to China Lake, California and up to Oakland, where he assumed the supply officer job on the USS San Jose. He finished his Naval career as deputy supply officer, Norfolk Naval Station, and in 1985 he began his second career as logistics and contract director with Mancon, finally retiring in 1998.

After retirement, Dick and Sandy lead an active life spending their winters at their Cayman Island condo and Summers in their motorhome, traveling throughout the United States and Canada. Known as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Dick enjoyed spending time with his family more than anything else. He loved watching Navy football games with his son Steve (‘80),and countless hours with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, regaling them with stories of his and Sandy‘s RV adventures. Probably his greatest joy, however, was sharing their Cayman Island home, swimming and snorkeling with his sons and grand children.

Captain Nygaard was predeceased by his wife Sandra Nygaard, and is survived by his sons Steve and David Nygaard, his eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He and Sandy will be inured at the Naval Academy columbarium in Annapolis, Maryland on September 30, 2024.