In Memory

Thomas Herbert Andrew

Tom was born on October 29, 1953. He died on February 15, 2012 at age 58. Tom's last known address was Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

Tom's Obituary in the Grosse Pointe News

Thomas H. Andrew

Died: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Age: 58

Thomas Herbert Andrew, 58, died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, after a year-long battle with brain cancer.

He is survived by his wife, Marti Benedetti; son, Nicholas; daughter, Molly and sisters, Louise (Richard) Weithas, Paula (Jim) Burdelski and Christine (Don) Dehoff, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mr. Andrew was a graduate of Michigan State University and a Dearborn native. He spent the first decade of his career as a newspaper editor and reporter in Michigan, Illinois and Texas. He left the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where he was a sportswriter, to move back to Detroit to work on the sports desk at the Detroit News. He spent the next several years working in corporate communications in the telecommunications, automotive and health care industries.

According to his family, among his greatest joys was the time he spent coaching, watching and officiating sports at Elworthy Field in Grosse Pointe. For more than 10 years, Mr. Andrew coached his son and many other players in Grosse Pointe Little League and Grosse Pointe Babe Ruth. He was a Grosse Pointe Hockey Association coach, and also coached girls Neighborhood Club soccer during his daughter's early years.

He was an avid tennis player; a member of Eastside Tennis Club, the Hunt Club and the Indian Village Tennis Club. His other passions included seeing live music, including his favorite band The Polish Muslims. He looked forward to the family's annual vacations to the Muskoka region of Canada and watching his beloved Detroit Tigers.

Mr. Andrew crewed on a racing sailboat out of Grosse Pointe City Park on Wednesdays for several summers. His family and friends said he had a zest for life, family, friends and Detroit.

A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday, Feb. 25, at St. Clare of Montefalco Church, 1401 Whittier, Grosse Pointe Park.

Donations may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL 60631.

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Tom's Obituary in the Detroit News on February 23, 2012

Thomas H. Andrew, Grosse Pointe

Youth sports coach a respected journalist

From coaching hockey and baseball to hitting the golf course and playing tennis, Tom Andrew loved sports.

"He was a very active guy," said Doug Jenzen, a longtime friend. "He was always involved."

Mr. Andrew died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, after a battle with brain cancer. He was 58.

Born Oct. 29, 1953, he graduated from Dearborn High School and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.

Working at the Dearborn Press & Guide and Advisor newspapers, he met Marti Benedetti, a fellow reporter. They wed on July 2, 1983.

Mr. Andrew also worked in Illinois and was a reporter/editor at the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago before becoming a sports writer at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in Texas.

Among his assignments was covering the Detroit Tigers' World Series bid in 1984. "He got a lot of good assignments," his wife said.

He returned to Michigan in 1987 to work on the sports desk at The Detroit News.

"Tom was a true professional who was respected throughout the industry," said Phil Laciura, sports editor at The News.

Mr. Andrew later was in corporate communications for telecommunications, automotive and health care industries.

When not working, he managed Grosse Pointe Little League and Babe Ruth youth baseball teams, helping young players master fundamentals.

"No one ever stood around at Tom's practice," Jenzen said. "He was very big on the concept of skills and drills."

The same rule applied when coaching with the Grosse Pointe Hockey Association. "Tom's teams were always very strong defensively and positionally," said Don DeLaura, a fellow coach.

Other survivors include two children, Nicholas and Molly; sisters Louise Weithas, Paula Burdelski and Christine Dehoff; and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is noon Saturday at St. Clare of Montefalco, 1401 Whittier, Grosse Pointe Park.

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Tom's Obituary in the Detroit Free Press & News, February 19, 2012:

Andrew Thomas Herbert age 58, of Grosse Pointe, died February 15, 2012 after a yearlong battle with brain cancer. Survived by his wife Marti Benedetti, son Nicholas, daughter Molly, and sisters Louise (Richard) Weithas, Paula (Jim) Burdelski and Christine (Don) Dehoff. Memorial service will be Saturday, February 25 at noon at St. Clare of Montefalco Church, 1401 Whittier, Grosse Pointe Park. Memorials may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL 60631.