Andrew D. Black
Longshoreman April 16, 1962 — Feb. 20, 2017
Andrew Dean Black was born to Jimmie and Nancy Black on April 16, 1962, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Astoria, Oregon. Little did we know that this blond-haired, blue-eyed baby would become a best friend to his sisters, and provide years of entertainment with his quick wit and loving spirit.
It was always the four of them, Andy, older sisters, Liz and Teresa, and younger sister, Paula, becoming friends and supporting each other from grade school to high school and beyond. That friendship and love lasted until he died peacefully on Feb. 20, 2017.
Andy loved participating in sports beginning with Seaside Kids baseball, continuing with Babe Ruth, Legion and on with high school sports. But it was baseball where he found his passion as a pitcher. And a very good one at that! Remember his fastball? He was selected to play in the high school All-Star game, but a trip to Hawaii for graduation with his buddies was too tempting to refuse.
After graduating from Seaside High School in 1980, he enrolled in Lane Community College, and his talent for pitching kept him in Eugene for two years, traveling in the league. He always said those were the best times he ever had. And of course, don’t forget those damn Yankees and the Steelers! He was a die-hard fan of both!
Throughout his adult years he played intramural basketball and summer recreational softball entertaining his fellow teammates with his one-liners.
Andy was fortunate enough to work for Bruce’s Candy Kitchen for years. Bruce said Andy was willing to do anything, but he wasn’t allowed to dust the merchandise!
Andy worked for Bergerson Construction for over 20 years, continuing to make people laugh and making friends. He always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, so between his employment at Bergerson and working as a casual longshoreman, he became a “B” man in 2013. He was elated, and very proud to carry on the tradition. Favorites? Hunting with his dad and the Brownsmead Gang, baseball, softball, lots of music, cooking great meals, trapshooting, watching the Yankees beat the Red Sox, watching the Steelers beat anybody! And sometimes, the Seahawks. Always spending time with his family and friends. It was guaranteed he would close his phone calls with “I love you!” Andy leaves behind four beautiful children, Natosha, Drew, Jake and Mickey; his mom, Nancy Black-Williams; sisters, Elizabeth (Paul) Montgomery, Teresa (Jeff) Stoller and Paula Black-Nickles; and one niece, Taylor Nickles. We also want to acknowledge stepmother Joy Brotherton and her daughters, Carole, Casey and Christy. He is preceded in death by his father, Jimmie Black.
He will be missed forever by all who knew him, and we hope he continues to work on new material for his audiences! He always said, “Comedy ain’t pretty!”
Our family will be hosting an informal memorial for Andy on Saturday, March 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the ILWU Hall, Local 50, 491 Industry St. in Astoria, Oregon.
We would like to carry on his legacy and love for baseball through contributions to Seaside Kids Inc., P.O. Box 275 Seaside, OR, 97138, in remembrance of Andrew Black.
An online guest book may be signed at www. OceanViewAstoria.com
