Worcester - Andrew J. Yess, 89, passed away Wednesday, December 23, 2009, in the Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Westborough. He was predeceased by his wife Mary T. (Crowley) in November 1979. He leaves two sons, James P. Yess and his wife Dr. Mary Lussier of RI and Vincent B. Yess and his wife Susan of Worcester; one sister, Alice Nagle of HI, four beloved grandchildren who were the love of his life — James P. Yess, Jr., MD, Erica, Patrick, and Rebecca Yess; four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Evelyn Saxton and a dear granddaughter, Desiree A. Yess.
He was born in Swampscott, MA, son of Madelyn (Ronzano) and John J. Yess. Andrew was educated in Worcester Public Schools and the New England Technical Institute. He was a U.S. Marine Corps Air Squadron Staff Sgt. in WWII (1941-1945) and served in the Pacific Theatre. Andy was then employed by J. R. Abramson and R.E. Eames as a sheet-metal worker. In 1950, he began his long and dedicated firefighting career, spanning 35 years, with the Worcester Fire Department, retiring in 1985.
Andy was an active member of Our Lady of Fatima where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Finance Committee. He loved his church and donated many hours to Our Lady of Fatima. He was also very civic-minded and served on many committees, societies, and associations, including—Chairman and Executive Director of the Worcester Firefighters Benefit Committee’s Annual Musical Productions (staged and directed for 20 years), Writer and Director of Musical Productions for the Grafton Lions Club Annual Benefit and the Jack Barry Little League, Past President of St. Michael’s Guild Worcester Fire Department, Past Vice-President Leukemia Society of America, former member of Salisbury Singers, Christian Firefighters Guild of U.S and Canada, American Legion Post 201 (more than 50 years), MA Permanent Firemen’s Assn, Local 1009 International Association of Firefighters; Organizer and Advisor, Explorer Post 201, BSA sponsored by the Worcester Fire Dept; Past member of Advisory Committee Central MA Chapter Muscular Dystrophy Assn., Past President and past member, Central MA Symphony and Youth Symphony Orchestras, Past President, Vice-President, current member of Worcester Firefighters Relief Assn., Past President and past member Jack Barry Little League, member of Retired State and County Municipal Employees Assn. and the Worcester County Retired Police & Firefighters Assn. He also served on the Board of the Worcester Cultural Commission, Board of First Night, and Board of Trustees Worcester Memorial Auditorium. Andy received the Key to the City in 1979.
Funeral services under the direction of Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, will be private. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Worcester Firefighters Relief Association, 141 Grove St., Worcester MA 01605. To leave a message of condolence in Andy’s on-line guestbook, please click link below.