Andrew Gillman

Andy Gillman passed away on March 8 after a tenacious battle with kidney disease. Andy grew up exploring the hills around Bolton Landing before his family moved to the Capital District. At 15 years old he met the love of his life, Marylou, and they were together from that point onward. After deciding that high school had taught him everything it had to offer, he enlisted in United States Army which eventually took them both to the island of Oahu. While he was a well-groomed mountain man his entire life, Hawaii was always a part of his soul. In the early 80's they moved into Jay where he found his true home.

Andy's careers defied any clear definition. He used his knowledge as a helicopter crew chief in the Army to find work as a machinist at Sikorsky Helicopters. He worked as a caretaker for many properties including over 20 years at Paleface Mountain. He also installed custom hardwood floors, worked as a professional welder, and had a brief stint as a goldminer in Mongolia.

Andy always had several projects going at the same time to keep his mind and hands occupied. He possessed mechanical sympathy and the ability to visualize the way almost every object functioned from simple tools all the way to memorizing every pipe and valve in a hydraulic system. This did not extend to computers, which were never something he loved until he discovered that he could comment using Marylou's Facebook account. After being told in no uncertain terms that he always had to let people know that he was the one posting, "Andy here" became a common phrase on his friend's social media accounts. If you had never experienced his humor firsthand, the Red Green Show would be a decent guide.

Living and exploring in the natural world was his favorite activity. Finding the hidden places in the woods where no one else ever went was a special talent. The calendar conveniently had the end of trout fishing season line up perfectly with the start of deer season, which then ran into snowmobile season. He was the rare type of person that would gladly take anyone to his favorite fishing spots and would show you his secret hunting spot. Right after he got that pesky 10 pointer out first.

Food was another deep and abiding passion for him. Nothing pleased him more than the growth of local farming in the areas around Jay. He became a dedicated local-vore at the Keene Valley Farmer's Market and numerous small farms. He was an accomplished chef that took great pleasure in preparing food for his family or anyone who stopped in around dinner time. For over 20 years he would put on an annual Labor Day Pig Roast for his friends and random people that would follow the signs.

Andy is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marylou, sister Alexis (Tim), his sons Matthew (Meredith), Daniel (Veronica), his grandchildren Bradana, Edgar, and Evin, and a constellation of friends that stretch across the globe. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Cathy (Joe).

None of this would have been possible without the dedicated staff at the Freedman Renal Center, Adirondack Medical Center, Dr Roland's office, and the VA Health professionals in Albany and Saranac Lake.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 with a Memorial Service following at 11:00 at Heidrick-Zaumetzer Funeral Home in Au Sable Forks. The family welcomes everyone to a luncheon at the Amos & Julia Ward Theater in Jay immediately after the ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Jay Volunteer Fire Department.