Obituary Norman Lee Andina

Norman Lee Andina — August 17, 1938 – September 9, 2024

Norman Andina, previously of Hauppauge and a long-time resident of Zephyrhills, Riverview, and Valrico, Florida, passed away on Monday, Sep 9^th while on vacation in Brookneal, Va.  He was preceded in death by wife Marie (Schneider) Andina in 2017, daughter Kory Lee Andina in 2009, and his sister Patricia Schultz of FL in 2023.

He was born on August 17^th, 1938 in Bridgeport, CT.  He grew up in Queens, NY, summered in Forestburgh, NY, graduating from P.S. 133 and Jamaica High School in Queens, NY.

He met Marie, his future wife, while they were both working at Airborne Instruments Labs in Farmingdale, NY.  A strong courtship was followed by their marriage on March 14, 1965.  They enjoyed many trips on their Harley Davidson motorcycles in the New York and New England area.

Living in Hauppauge, NY for 24 years, they raised their children, Karl, Lara, and Kory Lee.  He also worked at DynaEmpire, Grumman Aircraft, Hydrosystems, and Gould where he climbed the ladder as a machinist, draftsman, designer, and then manager for several teams working on simulators for ships, aircraft, and other industrial systems.

A love of camping and the outdoors led the family to enjoy tenting, followed up by use of a pop-up camper across Long Island, upstate NY, and up & down the East coast.

Norman was very active in the Boy Scout organization, as the Scoutmaster of Hauppauge’s Troop 343 for 10 years.  He mentored and guided many a young man on the trail, from when they first entered Boy Scouting to attaining the rank of Eagle Scout (the highest rank that a youth can earn in Scouting), as well as all of the ranks in between.  Under his leadership and guidance, 17 young men earned their wings and became Eagle Scouts. He has stayed in touch with many of the Scouts (now adults with children and grandchildren) and Scouting volunteers over the years…most recently enjoying lunch with some of them while visiting New York in August.  He never left Long Island until he had at least one “Jim Dandy” ice cream sundae at Friendly’s!!!

Following a change in employment in 1989, the family moved to Valrico, Fla., where he worked for Contraves-SSI and then transitioned to a second career in environmental services / compliance.  He dedicated some of his time in retirement as an Usher / Elder at the Our Savior Lutheran Church, served as a Guardian Ad Litem for the State of Florida, donated over 6 gallons of blood to a local blood bank over the years, and served in several HOA positions at the Tropical Acres Estates in Zephyrhills, Fla.

He is survived by son Karl (Nancy) Andina of Ca, daughter Lara Michelle Andina of NY, sister Kathy (William) Lane of OH, niece Linda (Jerry) Paradise of Fla, nephew Brad (Amy) Cormier of Oh, and godson James Tintle of Fla.  The next generation includes three grandchildren Zachary, Harrison and Savanna Andina; step-grandchildren Sean (Katie) Smith of Ca, and Shannon (Michael) Brandow of Wa.  And five great-grandchildren (Keira, Sullivan, Ender, Atlas, and Ronin), six grand-nieces and nephews (Heather, Emma, Connor, Aidan, Jack, and Kathleen), and two God-nieces (Haley and Cassandra).

Celebrations of life are being planned in Fla. on Sun, Nov 10^th and at a future date in NY (details will be provided at a later time).

Memorial gifts may be made to Boy Scout Troop 343 of Hauppauge, NY via Boy Scout Troop 343 c/o Assistant Scoutmaster Phyllis Stein, 674 Town Line Road, Hauppauge, NY  11788.