Nancy Dwyer Eaves

I cannot begin to imagine life without Andrew. He was a gift that entered our lives and changed our family forever. For five and long years, I had awaited my brother’s arrival finally he came, (all 8 lbs. 10 ounces of him), and I was not disappointed! As a matter of fact, I was so immediately taken with my brother that my parents had to sit me down and explain that I was not his mother, and maybe it was not such a good idea to try to take baby Andrew to bed with me. Elly, on the other hand, was not as thrilled. She enjoyed her privileged position as the baby and did not want to see it jeopardized by (QuotelUnquote) “that kid.” Yet Andrew, in his classic fashion, quickly won her over and made his way into her heart. His first word was “Elly”. This was a quality Andrew exhibited all of his life.

In our family we all have a soft spot for Andrew. The “golden child”, as Elly and I affectionately coined him. He was the baby, but had such a wonderful good-natured presence, none could fault him. In 20 and 1/2 years, I don’t remember Andrew being in a fight with any of us. This is not to say that he didn’t like to wrestle, or pick me up and throw me over his shoulder until I begged to be let down, or come into my bedroom at night and give me a good old Steam-Roll. Nor do I remember Andrew uttering a mean word about anyone. He loved his sisters, his parents, his friends and his family unconditionally- and we all just loved and adored him.

As many of you know, Andrew also loved Fishers Island. His “favorite place in the world”, he proudly told us. I had the good fortune to spend a month with him there this summer-and I thank God for it. We spent countless afternoons on the golf course and on the boat. Usually, Andrew was showing off his “never give up” tubing skills. Andrew loved nothing more than hanging out on our back porch-his parents, his sisters, his friends and ours.

Occasionally, a game of beer pong was known to break out in the Dwyer household, and Andrew was always the victor. The few times he lost, he refused to leave the table until he regained “his honor”.

There is one bar on Fishers Island-The Pequot. This was another favorite of Andrew’s-to be there with his sisters, all of his friends and all of ours. He loved pulling Elly and me onto the dance floor and showing off a few of his new moves. Perhaps the bane of his existence was that he was not yet 21, (which meant he could not get in on Saturday nights). One particular Saturday, we convinced him to try again, using a friend of mine’s ID. The bouncer took one look at Andrew and started to laugh-“Good ID, Wrong Person”, he said. There was one problem -the bouncer had played golf with Andrew earlier that day.

Elly and I hated the fact that Andrew wasn’t with us and wondered about his whereabouts all night. When we returned home that evening, there was Andrew in our kitchen. When we asked him what he was doing up, he said, “Well, I was waiting for my sisters.” This was Andrew; he never missed an opportunity to hang out with us.

I can’t imagine the last 20 and 1/2 years without my brother. Andrew, you have been and will continue to be such a special part of our family. You added such flavor to all of our lives. I am sorry that you had to leave us so prematurely. I picture you in your “Dream Room,” happy as can be, relaxing in your Lazy Boy. The big screen TV has perfect definition and Tivo is already set up. I imagine you sitting with Babe Ruth, offering him a cold beer and an Andrew Dwyer Special, hot off the Foreman, chuckling away and whole-heartedly thanking him for “The Curse of the Bambino”. Andrew, I love you more than I can ever begin to articulate. I know you’re watching over us all, and I will miss you, with all of my heart, until we meet again.