Andrew Merrick Wilson, 55, of Lemont, Pa. formerly of Birmingham, Pa. passed away peacefully on July 6, 2015 while hiking near the South Boulder River near Cardwell, Montana.
He was born on June 10, 1960 in Schenectady, New York, son of David and Janet (Garland) Wilson.
He lived the first 13 years of his life in Schenectady, spending weeks every summer on the shores of Lake Champlain in Essex, N.Y. where he developed his passion for sailing. When Andrew was 13 his family moved year round to Essex, where Andrew spent his teenage years exploring the woods, collecting antiques and old power line insulators, and spending as much time on the lake as possible. He graduated in May of 1982 from Middlebury College in Vermont with a Bachelor of Science degree in English Literature. During his high school years at Holderness School, Plymouth, New Hampshire, Andrew spent his senior year abroad, in France. This whetted his appetite for foreign travel. Over the years, first as a footloose traveler in his 20s, then later at his work recruiting students for Grier School, Andrew spent considerable time in Spain, France, Mexico, Peru, China, Saudi Arabia and Korea. Among the more exotic locals he visited were Morocco and Ethiopia. His most memorable trip was sailing across the Atlantic and around the Caribbean in 1985 on the Brendan’s Isle.
Of course, all those adventures were just a prelude to, and then the icing on the cake of, Andrew’s greatest joy, his family. Andrew met the love of his life, Darcy Nelson, in 1989, and on June 23, 1990 in St. Mary’s they were married. They had three wonderful daughters, Emily, Hope and Grace. The family was inseparable, singing, acting, playing games and traveling together. Darcy was the skipper of the ship while Andrew would sit back in awe of his great luck. Andrew was a gifted photographer, and all who knew him know of his loving portraits of his family, and his beautiful landscapes from around the world.
Finally, Andrew worked at Grier School for almost 30-years, where he taught Spanish, recruited students and then was co-head of school. Following retirement he had accepted several positions as an international education recruiter.
He is loved and will be remembered by thousands of students and former students around the country and the world whose lives he touched. As anyone who met Andrew knew, his ability to engage and get to know new people in a room full of strangers was legendary. If you ever met Andrew, you became his friend and he would remember you for life.
Andrew is survived by his wife, Darcy, his three daughters, Emily, Hope and Grace all at home, his father, David of Helena, Montana, a brother Kim of Helena, Montana and a sister Elizabeth of New York.
Andrew, we all love you and will miss you.
A celebration of Life with family and friends will be held 3:00 p.m., Saturday July 25, 2015 at Touchmark- upstairs hall, 915 Saddle Drive, Helena, MT.
In lieu of flowers gifts can be made to the Wilson Girls Education Fund, First National Bank, 1480 E. College Ave., State College, Pa. 16801.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
3:00 p.m.
Saturday July 25, 2015
Touchmark - Upstairs Hall
915 Saddle Drive
Helena, Montana
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
3:00 p.m.
Saturday July 25, 2015
Touchmark - Upstairs Hall
915 Saddle Drive
Helena, Montana
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janet zimmerman says
Dear Kim…. reaching out to you and your family at this most sensitive time… Your brother Andrew was a very kind and accomplished gentleman. A unimaginable loss to many. Mourn him well, hold fast to your memories.
Nedra Chandler says
Dear Kim, David, Liz, Charlotte, Mairin, all Wilsons and Kate, and extended family who loved Andrew in his exuberant life, please know that Oscar and Willa and I are holding you in our hearts and minds during what I imagine may feel a bit surreal? Maybe not, but for me it feels like, ‘how could he really be gone from this present time we live in?’ Gone but not forgotten. Andrew’s influence was felt far and wide among Chandlers too, from the year we all spent in Missoula proximity when he was working there in 1984 to his role in Oscar finding a school path to SYA and heading to China for a year that set him on a global citizen path he is now relishing every day. How strange and wonderful that all the little moments Andrew spent making connections and networking with people, and caring enough to take a beautiful photo or give an encouraging word add up to such impact and reach among all of us. Much love, Nedra