Andrew Martin Szych

Andrew M. Szych, 81, of Ashford, CT, loving husband of Patricia Peters, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025 from prostate cancer. He was born on November 20, 1944 to the late Andrew and Alice (Ruczinski) Szych. He grew up in Union, CT and graduated from Stafford High School in 1962. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Gunner’s Mate (Missiles) aboard the USS George K. MacKenzie which operated in the intercoastal and territorial waters of South Vietnam. He was a proud “Tin Can Sailor”. Upon discharge, he worked for various construction companies, including 10 years of employment as a subcontractor at UCONN’s Department of Academic Renovations. He was honest, loyal and hard working.

Andy and Pat enjoyed vacations along New England shorelines, walking and hiking Cape Cod, exploring nature preserves in Maine, and wining and dining in Newport. Every trip was an adventure. Favorite pastimes included deep sea fishing with Linda & Harold, freshwater fishing with cousin Charlie, enjoying the beach at Dawn & Rob’s cottage in Matunuck, RI, tending his garden, and trading war stories with John. He was an avid target shooter and bird watcher. He delighted in all creatures great and small, and considered the Audubon Society’s Field and Guidebooks pleasure reading. He was interested in Native American Lore, and enjoyed the music of Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, and Hank Williams, Sr. Most important, however, was time spent with his family, hosting numerous holiday and birthday celebrations. He will be remembered for wearing his signature leather hat worn by Marlon Brando in The Wild Bunch, and that khaki vest with all those pockets--don’t ask what was in those pockets!

The family extends gratitude to his medical team for their compassionate care and attention over the years, including Dr. Joseph Wagner, Dr. Jeffrey Kamradt, and Dr. Helaine Bertsch and her crew at the Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Patricia Peters; daughter, Dawn Meduna and son-in-law Robert Meduna; special grandson Dylan Meduna and partner Jacqueline Duran; sisters, Arlene Champagne, and Debra Wilbur and partner Ken Roman; brothers-in-law Harold Lester of SC, Robert Peters of Tucson, AZ and Jeffrey Peters of Myrtle Beach, SC; several cousins, nieces, nephews, good friends; and former spouse Pamela Chase, mother of his children. He was predeceased by his son, Andrew Szych, Jr., sister Linda Lester, and brother-in-law Joseph Champagne.

Per Andy’s wishes, there will be no formal services. Please consider making a donation to a veterans group of your choice. His ashes will be scattered in all his favorites places, so that wherever we go….there he is. Till we meet again, “Fair Winds and Following Seas”.