Obituary: Christopher ‘Buddy’ McAndrews

McAndrews
Christopher ‘Buddy’ McAndrews

Christopher ‘Buddy’ McAndrews

Christopher “Buddy” McAndrews, 86, of Lauderhill, Fla., formerly of Manchester and Kearny, died Sunday, July 3, at the Alexander Nininger State Veterans Nursing Home, Pembroke Pines, Fla.

He was employed for 29 years as a firefighter for the Town of Kearny before retiring in 1985. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He was captured in 1950 and held as a POW until his release in 1953. 

He was a survivor of the infamous Tiger Death March.

He was awarded the Purple Heart and was a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 36, as well as the Korean War Veterans of Ocean County and the American Ex-POW Association. 

Born and raised in Kearny, he lived there until relocating to Brick from 1973 until 1989, in Jackson from 1989-1999, in Manchester from 1999-2015 before permanently residing in Lauderhill, Fla.

He was predeceased by his first loving wife of 32 years, Mary Ann (Malizia) McAndrews, who died in 1987. 

Surviving is his loving wife of 26 years, Denise (Libretti) McAndrews of Lauderhill, Fla, a daughter, Karen McAndrews of Manchester, a son, Chris F. McAndrews and his wife, Daryl of Toms River, two step-sons and their wives, Michael and Michele Gray of Easton, Pa., Christopher and Ann Marie Gray of Edgewater, six grandchildren, Matthew, Colleen, Megan, Juliane, Stephanie and Kyle, and two great-grandchildren, Grace and Calen.

Visitation is Sunday, July 10, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Oliverie Funeral Home, 2925 Ridgeway Road, Manchester. A funeral service and interment is Monday at 11 a.m. at the Chapel at the Brigadier Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association of N.J., 400 Morris Avenue, Suite 251, Denville, 07834 or to Disabled American Veterans at DAV.org.

For directions, or to send online condolences, visit www.oliveriefuneralhome.com

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