Andrew John "Andy" Meffen, 58, of Springfield, MA, died on Friday March 23, 2007 at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield. He was born in Springfield on September 24, 1948 a son of Robert A. Meffen of Springfield and the late Lillian (Walsh) Meffen who died in 1997.
Andy attended Springfield Public Schools and was graduated from Springfield Technical High School in 1966 where he played three sports. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD and later attended and received a Bachelor's Degree in Business from American International College in Springfield. Andy furthered his education at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and received a Master's Degree in Fire Sciences.
He served his country in the U.S. Navy for three years during peacetimes. Andy taught mathematics in the Springfield Public Schools for seven years and then entered the service of the Springfield Fire Department where he retired as a Lieutenant after 27 years of service. For the past year, he was employed as a ticket agent for US Airways at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT until he fell ill two weeks prior to his passing. Andy also was a sports official for the past 35 years and officiated many football, lacrosse, and basketball sporting events. He enjoyed traveling and scuba diving.
Andy was a longtime summer employee of the Springfield Parks Department Lifeguard Program and had also worked for 20 years as a lifeguard trainer with the Lifeguard Certification Program for the State of Massachusetts. He was a member of the Mt. Orthodox Lodge of Masons in West Springfield and the Melha Shriner's in Springfield.
Andy loved all of his family and friends and will truly be missed by all who knew him. In addition to his father, he leaves his seven sisters and brothers, his twin Mary A. Meffen and her husband David Tancrati, Thomas O. Meffen and his wife Lynn, and James A. Meffen, all of Springfield, Robert P. Meffen of Monson, Patricia A. Meffen and her husband Thomas Huibretsge of Avon, CT, Daniel A. Meffen and his wife Monica of Beach Park, IL, and Stacy A. Meffen of Catonsville, MD; his ten nieces and nephews; his five grandnieces and grandnephews; and his many friends including Michael and Lauren Maldonado and their children of Rutland, MA.
A funeral home service will be held on Wednesday March 28th at 6 p.m. at Sampson's Chapel of the Acres Funeral Home, 21 Tinkham Road in Springfield. Burial will be private. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday March 28th from 2 to 6 p.m. prior to the service. Memorial donations may be made in Andy's memory to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104.
Updated: September 13, 2018
Curator: Ed Moore