Coletti, Andrea D.Jr.

Description

Andrea D. Coletti was born in The Bronx, N.Y., on Sept. 27, 1922, to Andrea and Hazel Coletti, and grew up in Rye, N.Y. He had one sister, Marie, and the family were members of the Church of the Resurrection. Andrea enlisted and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Andy volunteered to join the U.S. Army in 1942 and was selected to become part of the 87th Mountain Infantry of the 10th Mountain Division, the first military division trained to fight in high mountain conditions on snowshoes and skis.

He served from 1942-45, seeing action in both the European and Pacific Theatres. Andy was the recipient of the American Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal.

Andy was a private pilot, a ham radio operator, and enjoyed skiing almost his entire life. He had a great appreciation for life, good conversation, yodeling on occasion, and spending time with his family. He was a raconteur of sorts, with stories coming from a memory and wit that was something to behold, and he truly never met a dog he didn’t like.

Andrea Domenico Coletti Jr. went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014. He was 92 years old (or, in his 93rd year as he would like to say).

He is predeceased by his father and mother; his sister, Marie (Cliff) Rosell; and his wife of 49 years, Jeanne Bonnefond. Andy is survived by three loving daughters: Andrea (Dan) Niedhammer, Emilie (John) Gifford and Laura Coletti; and five grandchildren: Chelsea, Regan and Gus Gifford, and Kallie and Rye Niedhammer.

He was also survived by his nephews: Peter (Nancy) Rosell, Philip (Lisa) Connell, John (April) Connell, Richard (Kathy) Connell, Rob Connell; and nieces: Joanne Tripp and Muffy (George) Kerschner.

A private Mass of Christian burial was held at Our Lady of Victory in Frewsburg on Monday, Oct. 13, with the Rev. Darrell G. Duffy as celebrant, and burial followed at the Bath National Cemetery in Bath, N.Y., on Tuesday, Oct. 14. 2014