Thursday, April 30, 2026

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Hi everyone,

This is Carrie, another Waukegan high school friend 😊. 

Well, you might be surprised to read that when I first met Andy, he barely said a word! He sat behind me in our sophomore year Geometry class and he was actually shy. I’m not sure when that changed but it did and once he started talking there was no stopping! In fact many times during our high school days in the 70’s when the gang was hanging in my family’s basement, you could find Andy upstairs chatting with my parents! They loved him like we all did because he was always so comfortable being perfectly himself.

Besides having a gift for gab, he was also a great listener. You could talk to Andy about anything. And you could also always depend on him to give you his (honest) opinion!  I can think of so many ways to describe Andy-kind, caring, sweet, helpful, fun, funny, serious, trusting, athletic, a jack of all trades! But did you know Andy was also a master twirler? Something we practiced in the school’s boiler room when working on decorations for our high school dances! 

As Chrissy Morgan and Bill Brolley shared in previous posts, we were devastated to learn about Andy’s diagnosis. It only took one text message for our gang to come together as if no time had passed and support our dear friend. From the get go Andy was clear about how he felt about this “shitty disease” and how he was determined to keep a positive outlook and continue to express love and gratitude. And boy did he ever, even during the hardest times. He started a “Waukegan Friends” text thread where he posted his daily blog. For over a year we, like so many others in his Army of family and friends, tuned in at 8 am to “hear” Andy’s thoughts, challenges, daily activities (Did anyone have more fun plans on their calendar than Andy and Cindy?!), stories of his beautiful wife Cindy, and his awesome kids Nikki and Alex, adorable pics of his grandkids and all the old memories of growing up in Waukegan; many that included our friend group.

Somehow back then we were always together- and we didn’t even have cell phones!  Now with cell phones and Andy’s blog we were connecting daily- often laughing and adding on to the many funny stories from yesteryear while also having a chance to express our love for Andy and support for all he was going through. What priceless gifts Andy gave us through his incredible storytelling, his honesty and his vulnerability. He moved us to tears both happy and sad. His outlook on life and his courage in facing ALS has truly been and continues to be an inspiration to us all. I hate ALS and am heartbroken that it took one of the greatest guys ever from all of us. But I will also forever cherish and be grateful for the very special friendship we shared. The love never wavered- cuz that was Andy, loving and loveable!   Andy - I miss you but you will be in my thoughts and my heart always. And, as you wrote in my yearbook all those years ago, “thank you for being my friend”.  

Love you! ❤️Carrie #F ALS!