Andrew Plym
1945-2007
Niles Daily Star, Published 12:57pm Thursday, June 28, 2007
Andrew Plym leaves legacy of generosity
By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Andrew Plym will be remembered for a lot of things, but what most will remember him by was his generosity and giving nature.
"He never expected anything in return," said Andrew's wife, Nancy, on Wednesday. "He was a very giving person and did a lot for this community."
Plym died Tuesday at Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph, after an extended illness. He was 62.
Plym spent much of his time volunteering on a number of community boards. He also helped out several different organizations, was a volunteer firefighter, served as the Fire Chief of Morris Farms in the 1980s and was a volunteer firefighter for Niles Charter Township, where he is now recognized as an honorary member. Plym also spent some of his time as an auxiliary policemen.
Plym was vice president of the Plym Foundation and was a member of the Noon Optimist Club, Niles Elks and Burnt Island Associates. He was a member of the Niles Parks Board, Niles Airport Board and the Plym Park Golf Board.
"He did so much for this community because he grew up here, and he has family ties here. He's just one who has also chosen to give back," Nancy said.
After knowing each other for many years, Plym and his wife, Nancy, married Oct. 7.
Plym is survived by a step-daughter, Jennifer Farber, of Bloomington, Ind. He also had three step-grandchildren, Madison, Sierra and Nicholas Farber. Other family members include a brother, Eric, of Vero Beach, Fla. and a sister, Sally Campbell, who passed away in 2005. Andrew was born in Chicago, son of Lawrence J. and Mary L. Plym. He also very much loved his fur friends, two cats, Molly and Stewart, Nancy said.
Plym went to high school in Ridgedale, Ariz., where he graduated from Judson High School, a private school. After graduation, he returned to Michigan and attended Hillsdale College.
Plym also served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Vietnam Era. He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Plym enjoyed drag racing and even had his own team. He enjoyed collecting Marklin trains and loved being on his boat.
"He would often go to his father's yacht club in Delray Beach, Fla., and go sailing. He also cruised the Great Lakes. He enjoyed the water," Nancy said.
Plym was a longtime member of the Great Lakes Cruising Club and Port Captain for the Port of St. Joseph. He was also an honorary member of Signal Point and an honorary member of Delray Beach Yacht Club.
Plym struggled with diabetes for quite a while, Nancy explained, and died Tuesday morning due to complications from the disease.
"You have to take care of yourself if you have diabetes. That's one disease that will get you in the end," Nancy said.
Funeral services are Saturday at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Niles. The family will receive friends and relatives from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home.