Obituary of Andrew James Smith

It is with great sadness we announce the death of Andrew James Smith on March 21, 2017. After many years battling physical challenges and ilnesses, we are blessed that his life ended peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. Born August 12, 1929 in Somerville to Elizabeth and James (Joseph) Smith. He began his love for anything theatrical early, with his mother going into labor in the local movie theater. Although an only child, he grew up in a loving and very busy depression-era household shared by uncles and aunts and cousins, and in his words, although they were poor there was always laughter and love. Andy became interested in the music and dance and at an early age, and at the age of 14 (he pretended to be 16), spent the summer on Broadway as a dancer in Best Foot Forward. He continued performing with a small dance troupe through and after high school. Andy then attended Bentley School for Accounting, but never finished as he was drafted into the army at the age of 21. He served stateside in the signal corps and typography departments during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. Following that, he entered the Seminary, but after 8 months, decided that as strong as his faith was, that it was not his calling. He decided that music education was his passion and started at Boston University in 1954. It was there he met the love of his life and his future wife, Joanne DiMeglio. They sang in the same choral group, and while on a tour bus somewhere in Pennsylvania, Andy became feverish and Joan had the magic combination to heal him - aspirin in her bag and cool hands that she laid on his forehead. He always said that in that moment, he fell in love with her. They were married soon after graduation, in 1958, settling in Somerville, where Andy had his first teaching job at Somerville Junior High. Over the next few years, Andy pursued his Masters at Tufts University, while teaching full time, taking on piano students, and playing piano for any odd job he could get, from dance recitals to church shows to parties etc. During these years, Andy and Joan grew their family and welcomed Drew (Andrew Jr.) in 1960, Elizabeth (Liz) in 1961, and Marcella (Marcy) in 1963. Andy moved to Somerville High School in the early sixties, and began his career there in the music department. He made many friends and helped build the choral program, including winning a grant from the Federal Government and creating “Project Star”, a series of summer musical productions for high school kids. In 1972, he moved the family to Arlington, and started at Arlington High School as Choir Director, where he would teach for 17 years until his retirement in 1989. Over his teaching career, Andy led his choral groups to many competitions, winning numerous awards and accolades, coached individual students for competition, and was musical director for countless musical productions during the school year and over the summer. Following his retirement, Andy and Joan became members of St. Eulalia’s of Winchester, and eventually, Andy would become Choir Director there. They were fortunate to make many wonderful friends there over the years, and happily traveled the world singing in famous churches, including a small concert for the Pope at the Vatican. Eventually, they sold their home in Arlington, moving to Brooksby Village in Peabody, where Andy would find his last gig directing Brooksby Singers, and some small musical productions, again making friends and bringing music and laughter to his new community. Andy had a lifetime of adventures and experiences that formed the basis of the stories he loved to retell to anyone who would listen. With a booming laugh and operatic voice, a keen intellect, and a flair for the dramatic, he was in his element when performing, whether dancing on stage, singing or leading the choir, or chatting with friends old and new. As a husband, father, and grandfather, family was central to Andy’s life, and he loved nothing more than being with his children and grandchildren, whether for Sunday dinner or celebrating holidays with gusto. Andrew is survived by his wife of 59 years Joanne Smith, Son Andrew Smith Jr. (and wife Paula), daughters Elizabeth Smith and Marcella Smith Lee (husband Timothy), and grandchildren Aidan and Janna Lee. Wake to be held Friday, March 24, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Conway Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn Street, Peabody. Funeral Mass to be held Saturday, March 25 at 11:00 am at Brooksby Village Chapel, 300 Brooksby Village Drive, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Brooksby Village Benevolent Fund.