Obituary
Penn Yan – Andrew C. Decker, a United States Navy veteran and resident of Penn Yan, New York, passed away on Friday, December 30, 2016, following the last of a series of strokes at his residence at Penn Yan Manor Nursing Home. Andy died after a final visit from his two sons and twin brother.
At this time a private celebration of Andy’s life is being planned for this spring. Andy wished that his cremated remains be placed next to those of is parents in Baldwinsville, New York.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to your local animal shelter or ASPCP in Andy’s name.
Andy and his brother, Steve, were born to Morris and Eleanor Decker on May 22, 1952 in Caracas, Venezuela, where his father was working as a civil engineer. After graduating from Canton High School, in Canton, New York in 1970, and attending Paul Smith’s College in the Adirondacks, Andy married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Dafoe of Canton, New York on March 22, 1975.
In 1972, Andy joined the Navy and served aboard the USS Independence and was honorably discharged in 1980. After serving his country, Andy joined US Airways as a jet engine mechanic and inspector in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania working for the company for the next three decades. Andy and his wife welcomed their first son, Christopher, on September 5, 1981 and a second son, Stephen, on December 5, 1986. Among Andy’s interests was a passion for military, aviation, and railroad history and he developed an encyclopedic knowledge on the subjects.
Andy is survived by his two sons, Christopher and Stephen; his twin brother, Stephen (Jeanette) of Middlesex, New York; his sister Sallie Plummer (Frank) of Blacksburg, Virginia; four nephews and a niece; three great-nephews, and a great-niece.
He is pre-deceased by his parents;; brother, James, of Charleston, South Carolina; and ex-wife, Carolyn.