Rev. David T. McAndrew
Deceased: 2018-03-07
Diocese: HARRISBURG
Seminary Graduation Year: 1964
CSM Graduation Year: 1967
Father David T. McAndrew, a priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg for nearly 55 years, died on March 7 at UPMC Pinnacle Hospital in Harrisburg. He was 79.
The funeral Mass was celebrated March 13 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Lebanon, where he served as pastor for 11 years.
Father McAndrew was born in Mount Carmel on Nov. 8, 1938, to Mark and Myrtle McAndrew. He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel School from 1944-1952, and entered St. Charles College in Catonsville, Md., where he completed high school studies. Studying for the priesthood, he attended continued at St. Charles College and then went on to St. Charles Seminary, Overbrook, and the North American College in Rome.
Father Lavelle spoke of the year that he and Father McAndrew studied in Rome. During the summers, instead of coming home, they traveled through Europe.
Ordination to the priesthood was Dec. 18, 1963 by Archbishop Filippo Pocci in Rome, as priests for the Diocese of Harrisburg.
Father McAndrew’s first assignment was as assistant pastor of St. Columba Parish in Bloomsburg before service as Secretary and Assistant Chancellor before undertaking graduate studies in Rome. He served as Secretary of the Tribunal (1967-1971), assistant pastor of St. Francis Parish in Gettysburg (1976-1977), and pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Harrisburg (1980-1983), St. Joseph Parish in Danville (1983-1994) and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Lebanon (1994-2005).
Father McAndrew also served as Dean of the Lebanon Deanery, Spiritual Director of the Lebanon Curia of the Legion of Mary, Administrator of Villa Vianney in Lebanon, Chaplain of the Serra Club of Harrisburg, and as member of numerous diocesan boards. He retired from active ministry in November 2013.
“He absolutely loved being a priest,” Father Capitani said. “In the past few years, because of his health, he was unable to celebrate Mass, but he remained a great and holy priest.”
Father Lavelle was at Father McAndrew’s bedside when he died.
“At the moment of his death, the clock on the machine lit up, indicating it was 12:18 – the date of his ordination,” he said.
Father McAndrew is survived by two brothers, Patrick McAndrew, of Lester, Pa., and Michael McAndrew, of Norristown, Pa.; a sister, Sharon Zurlo, of Leola; and numerous nieces and nephews.
