James McAndrew

James Patrick McAndrew, 72, passed away suddenly on January 3, 2025, at his home.
Jim was a dedicated and genuine soul, much loved by his family and friends. He could
be a man of few words at times, but they were the most well-thought out and
deliberate.

Jim was born on July 15th, 1952, in Peckville, PA to the late James and Therese
(McLaughlin) McAndrew. He was the oldest of seven siblings, and while the family
homestead was in Jessup PA, the family lived in PA, GA, VA, MA, and CA. Jim
moved back to PA to earn a bachelor’s degree at the University of Scranton, where he
also later earned a Master of Business Administration.

While working in a mental health agency, Jim met Eileen Gallagher. They were
married in 1985, and had four children Molly, James, Annie, and Mary Susan and
were devoted and loving parents. Eileen worked at Catholic Social Services in
Hazleton and the family was very active in all the agency’s events throughout the
year, and most notably enjoyed packing the Thanksgiving and Christmas food boxes
and helping organize the annual giving tree. The family also enjoyed dressing up as
Santa and Mrs. Claus and their elves at one of St. Joseph Center’s residential homes
where Molly lived. Jim and Eileen were married until Eileen passed away in 1998.
Jim married Peggy Longo in 2001, and they spent more than 23 happy years together
as loving parents and grandparents. They continued supporting CSS and were active
members of St. John Bosco as lectors and eucharistic ministers, youth group advisors,
and faith formation teachers. They also provided on and off-stage support to MPB and
Holy Spirit/Holy Family players alongside their children, James, Annie, and Mary
Susan. One of their favorite things to do together was to cheer for Notre Dame
football and women’s basketball, and the Boston Red Sox. Their most recent favorite
activity was earning the titles of Mimi and Grampa to Annie’s children.

Jim was an active father and was always present at dance recitals, community theatre
performances, and sporting events (by himself in the outfield or off to the side of the
bleachers were his favorite spots). Jim was an active leader with James’s boy scout
troop, including a trip to Philmont Scout Camp in New Mexico and assisting with his
Eagle Scout project. He was an incredibly proud father and loved to share the latest
accomplishments of his children.

Jim was a professor at Luzerne County Community College and was passionate about
his students. He was an early adopter of online learning and took pride in his courses.
After several attempts, we believe Jim finally retired from LCCC in 2021.
In retirement, Jim most enjoyed spending extra time with his wife, children, and their
families. Jim kept active by doing many outdoor activities. He loved camping,
kayaking, biking the Lehigh Gorge trail, and doing many walking laps at LaRock
field. He most recently hiked Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire in September
with Mary Susan.

Remaining to cherish Jim’s memory are wife Peggy, son James and wife Jen
(Giordano), daughter Mary Susan and husband Arty Debek, daughter Annie and
husband Joe Ustynoski, grandchildren Nora and Joseph James; sisters Tess, Eileen,
and Anne (Mike), brothers Joe (Jan) and Tom (Anne), brother in-law Richard;
brothers-in-law Tommy (Kathleen), Danny (Anne), and Bobby, sister-in-law Terry
(John); sisters-in-law Mary Kay (Wally), Ann Marie, Sarah (John), and Maureen
(Tim), brothers-in-law Gerard (Cathy) and Billy (Nancy); and countless nieces and
nephews and their families.

Preceding Jim in death were wife, Eileen, daughter Molly, parents James and Therese,
in-laws Ellen and Thomas Gallagher and Mary Margaret and John Longo, sister
Maggie, brothers-in-law Johnny, Paddy, and Charlie.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday January 10th at the Joseph B.
Conahan Funeral Home, Inc., 532 N Vine St, Hazleton, PA 18201.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday January 11th at 10am at St. John Bosco
at 573 PA-93, Sugarloaf, PA 18249. A private burial will be held at St. Gabriel
Cemetery, Hazleton.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask for donations to be made to Hazleton Catholic Social
Services Family Center at 200 W Chapel Street Hazleton PA 18201 or St. Joseph
Center in Scranton, PA at stjosephscenter.org.

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