Obituary of Andrew Coleman

Andrew Davis Coleman, Esq., 65, son of Burr F. Coleman and Bertha Davis Coleman, passed away April 8, 2014 in Charleston, S.C. Andy was born February 4, 1949 and graduated in 1966 from Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady, N.Y. In 1970, Andy graduated from The College of the Holy Cross and married his high school sweetheart, Catherine "Cathy" Cronin, one month later. After earning his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1973, Andy was admitted to the Connecticut Bar and settled in Cheshire, CT. He practiced for many years with the law firm of Hitt, Mihalakos, Sachner & Coleman, and later as a sole practitioner. In addition to his work as an attorney, Andy accepted an appointment from Connecticut Governor Ella Grasso in 1981 to the State Elections Enforcement Commission, where he served 14 years, several as its Chairman. He was active in the Cheshire Jaycees, served as President of the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and was also active in the Cheshire Gridiron Club. After 38 years of practice, Andy retired with his wife to their vacation home in Seabrook Island, S.C. in 2011. Andy was an avid golfer who relished weekly rounds with his regular foursome at The New Haven Country Club, where he was a member for 30 years, and later at the Seabrook Island Club. With his wife and sons, he enjoyed frequent vacations to Bar Harbor, ME, Albany, GA and Seabrook Island, where he partook of golf and local cuisine with equal fervor. Andy is survived by his wife, Cathy of Seabrook Island, S.C.; and their two sons, J.C. and Conor; a daughter-in-law, Katie Elliott Coleman and a granddaughter, Ellie Coleman, all of Fairfield County Connecticut. He is also survived by a sister, Maura Coleman, of Cooperstown, N.Y. and several beloved cousins in Albany, GA. His many family members and friends cherish their memories of Andy as a fun-loving, modest man, whose actions were guided by an innate sense of decency and fairness, and whose advice was always sound. Andy was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, counselor and friend; he will be missed. A memorial gathering will take place Saturday, April 26, 2014 at Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St. from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 pm. The family will host a social gathering afterward at a location to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 7021 St. Andrews Road, Suite 100A, Columbia, SC 29212.