Livingston Obituary: Gary Andrasko, West Orange Teacher and NJSIAA track official

Former Livingston native Gary Andrasko passed away on Dec. 31.

He was 62-years-old.

The following obituary comes courtesy of the Farmer Funeral Home:

“Gary Stephen Andrasko, 62, of Springfield, passed peacefully on Saturday with family by his side. He was a loving husband, heroic father, and caring grandfather.

“A Funeral Mass will be held this Thursday, December 31, 2015 in The Abbey Church at Delbarton in Morristown, NJ at 11:00am. Visiting hours will be held from 9:00-11:00am in the Abbey.

“On Saturday, January 9th, 2016, a memorial celebration will be held at the Grand Summit Hotel from 2:00-5:00pm. Please join us to honor Gary and celebrate a life well lived.

“Born and raised in Livingston, NJ, Gary settled in Springfield. He attended Livingston High School where was an avid athlete. He went on to attend The University of Alabama. He joined the Air Force ROTC and received the Sons of the American Revolution Medal as the outstanding Air Force ROTC cadet. He received his B.S. in Education and later earned an M.A.in Asian Studies with distinction from Seton Hall University.

“Gary began his professional life as a social studies teacher in the West Orange school district. After earning tenure, he left education and entered the insurance and banking industry. He was an associate manager for Prudential Insurance Co. in Roseland for 10 years then a Senior Product Manager for Chase Bank in New York City. In the early 2000s, he was a Senior Vice President for Dime Savings Bank of New York in Wayne, NJ and Vice President for Greenpoint Bank in Lake Success, NY. Gary created his own firm in 2002, Andrasko Associates, a management consulting practice focused on banks-in-insurance issues. In 2007, Gary joined Wachovia Insurance as a Senior Vice President where he managed the bank’s mortgage insurance program. In 2011, Gary returned to his teaching roots, joining Seton Hall University as an Adjunct Professor of Asian Studies. Gary was a passionate educator and taught courses ranging from History of Traditional Asia to Eastern Mysticism.

“Gary was a longtime NJSIAA track official, swimming official, and soccer official and served as Rules Interpreter for the NJSIAA Track and Field Association. In 2003, Gary was recognized for 25 years of continuous service to the New Jersey School and College Officials Association (SCOA).

“Gary was a proud supporter of his children’s schools and sports teams, especially the Mt. Saint Mary’s swimming, Delbarton lacrosse, and Bowdoin College lacrosse teams. He also served as the President of the Delbarton School Parents of Graduates Association.

“In his spare time, Gary could be found preparing a delicious dish on his smoker, sharing a bottle of wine with friends, or supporting the University of Alabama football team. He will be dearly missed by all who loved him.

“He is pre-deceased by his parents, Stephen and Dorothy Andrasko and his brother, Dale Andrasko.

“Surviving are his beloved wife of 36 years, Jo Ann Andrasko (Kuver), devoted children, Catherine and Joseph, daughter-in-law Jenifer, and his cherished grandsons, Stephen and William Andrasko.

“In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Stephen and Dorothy Andrasko Scholarship Fund at The University of Alabama College of Education, Box 870231, Tuscaloosa AL 35487-0231 or at onlinegiving.ua.edu.”