Wayne C. Andrews
(also known as ‘Wayne the Great Dane’)
Retired Local 537 Pipefitter & Welder
TEWKSBURY: Wayne C. Andrews, age 74, a longtime resident of Tewksbury, passed away at the Lowell General Hospital after a short illness on Thursday, July 6, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.
He was the beloved husband of Theresa M. “Terry” (Kelly) Andrews, with whom he celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary on March 1, 2023.
Born in Lowell on July 10, 1948, he was the son of the late David Andrews and the late Ruth (Fairbrother) Andrews.
Wayne was raised in Billerica and graduated from Billerica High School in 1966. During his high school years, he was a star member of the Billerica High School Football Team and was recruited by Colorado State University.
He was proudly employed for over 40 years by Local 537 as a union pipefitter-welder. The last 25 years of his employment with Local 537 were spent at Boston Children's Hospital where he worked until his retirement in 2009. During his time in the Local, Wayne was fondly known as ‘Golden Arm’, the ‘King of Copper’, ‘Prince of Pipe’, and the ‘Lord of the Torch’.
In his spare time, Wayne enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, listening to music, vacationing at Little Ossipee Lake, day trips to the beach, visiting Encore Casino and playing games of chance. Wayne had a great sense of humor and loved to make others laugh.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Ashlee M. Andrews and her husband Sebastian Velandia, of Dracut, and Kelly T. Disciscio and her husband Jonathan, of Hudson, NH: three grandchildren, Cory and Taylen Disciscio, and Jack Velandia. Wayne was the brother of the late David Andrews, Jr. and Gary Andrews, and the son-in-law of the late Imelda (Walsh) Kelly and William Kelly. He leaves many extended family members and friends. Wayne will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all that knew him.
Calling hours are Thursday, July 13th, from 4-8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. His funeral procession will begin on Friday, July 14th at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, 90 River Rd., Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Boston Children’s Hospital at www.childrenshospital.org .