Thomas E. Andrus, 92, of Monterey died peacefully at home Friday Sept. 20, 2019.
He was born July 24, 1927, in Great Barrington to Franklin and Mabel Stalker Andrus. In his youth, Tom delivered the Berkshire Courier, was a farmhand and any other work so he could bring home money to help his parents. Tom’s hard work ethic continued throughout his life. Tom graduated from Searles High School. He was an air raid spotter and member of the Massachusetts State Guard from 1942-45. He proudly served his country with the U.S. Army and was stationed in Panama near the end of World War II.
He was co-owner of A&C Auto Body from 1959-75 and then worked at Plaza Ford. In 1979, he joined his son Tommy in his auto body shop, Precision Autocraft, in Monterey and through its relocation to Sheffield. Tom was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Church in Mill River and Our Lady of the Valley Church, Sheffield. He also sang in the choir in both churches. From 1965-2005, Tom was a volunteer fireman for the town of Monterey and during that time, saw the construction of the new firehouse. He was a mentor for the area youth interested in the auto body field. Thursday nights were devoted to the Shrine of Devine Mercy as an acolyte for over 15 years. In his free time, Tom was an avid bowler. He enjoyed spending time with his family and was always helping his children through various construction projects.
Tom leaves his wife of 61 years, the former Patricia A. Stanley, whom he married May 3, 1958, in Immaculate Conception Church. Tom leaves daughter Susan Marie Lukas and husband Kenneth of Pleasant Valley, Missouri; daughter-in-law Kathy Andrus of Mill River and grandchildren Melissa and Max and wife Jenny; son Daniel Sr. and wife Julie of Sandisfield and grandchildren Daniel II, Nicole and Ukiah; son Richard F. and wife Denise of Monterey and grandchildren Lauren and Hunter; son Jon C. and wife Heather of Otis and grandchildren Morgan, Rene, Ashley, Alison and Felicity. Tom also leaves six great-grandchildren (with another due in November), and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Tom was predeceased by son Thomas M. and sister Lois Curtiss.
Funeral services for Thomas E. Andrus will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Church with the Rev. Peter Naranjo officiating. Burial will follow in Corashire Cemetery, Monterey. The family will receive friends Friday, Sept. 27, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Birches-Roy Funeral Home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy in Tom’s memory be made to either HospiceCare in the Berkshires or to Our Lady of the Valley Building Fund, both in care of the funeral home at 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA. 01230. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
