SCARBOROUGH — Andre R. Hemond of Falmouth died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, a truly happy man. He lived life joyfully, out loud, and always with a kind word and a quick wit.

Andy was born to Alphonse and Rose Anne Hemond on Feb. 26, 1931, the youngest of seven, and always the one everyone doted on. He grew up with three brothers, John, Roland and George, and three sisters Rita, Irene and Theresa. He spent his early years having the run of the family dairy farm in Minot, while his siblings covered his chores. As a young adolescent, he was granted the privilege of attending a boarding school in Canada, and when it came time for college, he even convinced his sister, Irene, to complete his application. All his life, Andy told stories about how wonderful his childhood was and how much he loved his lighthearted family. His mom made 12 pies every Sunday night, which we think was the launching of Andy’s passion for sweets. Red’s Dairy Freeze in South Portland was very grateful. 

Andy graduated from St. Dominic High School in Lewiston in 1948 and then entered the University of Maine at Orono, where he majored in French and graduated in 1952 with decent grades and, more important to him, lots of friends. He joined the Navy and served our country from 1952 to 1956. No surprise, he enjoyed a desk job that required his good nature and charm to succeed. He was stationed in San Diego and worked at the Pentagon.

In the summer of 1957, he met Anne Foley while enjoying a night out with friends at a beach party, and was completely smitten by her great sense of fun and mischief. The two were engaged after just a few months of dating and married in July of 1958. They began their married life in Philadelphia where Andy worked for Girard College. They then put their roots down in South Portland where they started their family. Their greatest joy by far was their three children, and the spouses and grandchildren these three brought into the circle.

Anne and Andy lived together happily for more than 50 years, enjoying an evening at the kitchen table as much as any night on the town. They laughed together, supported each other, and faced challenges with humor and love. Anne and Andy lived their whole lives warmly welcoming family, friends and neighbors in their home. Theirs was the family room everyone wanted to be in. They also enjoyed seeing new places. Their favorite traveling partners were Jim and Barbara Dunn. And over the past 20 years, they continued to make many new friends while wintering in Naples, Florida.

Andy had an outstanding career as a proponent of young people and all that he was convinced they could accomplish. He absolutely loved, was intrigued by, and excited about young adults. He was a teacher and principal in Minot in his early years, followed by a long career at South Portland High School, beginning as a French teacher from 1960 to 1972; a guidance counselor and then head of Guidance from 1973 to 1984; and, finally, principal from 1984 to 1989. In the final phase of his career, Andy found success in his own business as a college placement counselor, pioneering the sort of placement service that many use today. His final job, which he shared with his wife Anne, was as the college prep counselor at Scarborough High School. In every one of these positions, he pushed students much further than most thought they could go, and he did so with love, honesty and encouragement. His influence resulted in the pursuit of advanced degrees by countless young people in southern Maine. Andy also served in several community positions, again focused on youth. He was on the board of directors at Catherine McAuley High School. He could not go anywhere in Greater Portland without people stopping him to say “thank you” for something he had done for them or their children. 

During his career, Andy earned two master’s degrees and added to his family finances with side jobs in retail and with the U.S. Customs Service. His family treasures two memorable summers running a Scarborough produce stand called the Family Patch. All his life, Andy never ever forgot that his family came first. He was the kind of dad who was always there, hanging around the house gardening, sitting among his family at Scarborough Beach, and ever ready to laugh and talk. He gave the same gifts to his grandchildren when they arrived.

Andy will be sorely missed by his surviving family: his wife of 53 years, Anne; his son, Alphonse, and his wife, Susan, and their three children, Ashley, Kathleen and William; his daughter, Annemarie Albiston, and her husband, Bruce, and their son, Joseph; his son, Craig, and his wife, Cynthia, and their children, Corry and Caden. Sadly, Andy lost a grandson, Eric, five years ago. He is also survived by one sister, Theresa Patry, of Minot, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A very special thanks to his daughter, Annemarie, who over the last several years has helped with all his needs in so many ways and to the staff of Gosnell Memorial Hospice House. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ctcrawford.com.


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