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If you want something done, ask a busy person. If you want something done at Masonicare in Mystic, ask Andy Milewski.

The first statement is an adage which goes back at least to 1856; the second goes back three years when Andy moved into this local community. Since then, he has served his neighbors as chair of the welcoming committee for a year, been a member of the resident council (overseeing maintenance, housekeeping, and security) for three years, run various recreational tournaments (including a new Wii bowling league this year), and baked countless desserts for the staff and residents.

Baking has been Andy’s most important activity (and avocation) since living at Masonicare. Last fall, in 2021, he raised about $2,300, which was donated to Alzheimer’s research. Congressman Joe Courtney presented Andy with a plaque to commemorate his achievement, which surpassed the $1,000 raised through bake sales in the fall of 2020.

When asked how he manages to do all these diverse activities, Andy replied, “I know how to allocate my time. I can multi-task.”

When asked why he does all these things and more (see below), Andy said, “I like helping people.”

A look back into Andy’s past reveals he has always demonstrated these diverse skills – in his business career of 50 years with three Connecticut companies after graduation from Wesleyan, as a husband of 56 years to his wife Myra Jane, as a father to three sons (Paul, William, and Andy). Andy’s greatest vocation, in my view, was being his wife’s caretaker after her stroke at age 30, which was followed several years later by her being hit by a car while in Lake Candlewood.

Back to Andy’s current life at Masonicare. His artistic talents are also used in service to others. He creates a birthday card (with painting and a message) for all the residents in the independent living section of the building and for some of those in assisted living as well. Before Covid, a homemade cupcake accompanied each card when he delivered it to each apartment.

Andy has written, illustrated, and had printed eight short stories for his granddaughter. Last spring, he established a garden of raised beds behind the building, where he grew vegetables and flowers, again distributed among the residents and staff.

Husband, father, businessman, engineer, community activist, baker, artist, writer qualify Andy Milewski as a Renaissance man of the 21st century.

Jim Izzo is a retired teacher who lives in Mystic.