Donald Charles Andrus, 83, of Branford, and Jupiter, Florida, husband of 57 years to Ann, died Sept. 20 with his family by his side. He was born May 3, 1930 at home in Simsbury to the late Charles Butler Andrus and Mabel Branch Andrus. Don was a graduate of Bryant University, a United States Air Force veteran, and a naval reservist. After working with Moody’s Investors Service for nearly 20 years, he formed a family-oriented financial services group. 

For the past 15 years, Ann and Don have divided their time between Middlebury,Vermont and Jupiter, Florida, where Don’s great interest was working with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Florida Marlins during spring training, a treat that he looked forward to yearly. He was a member of the National Order of Founders and Patriots of America, The National Society of Sons of the American Revolution, and the American Legion.

Don’s descendants were among the early settlers of Connecticut who followed Thomas Hooker (circa 1640) to Hartford, and the Andrus’ were original proprietors of the towns of Hartford and Farmington. Don’s grandchildren represent the 14th generation of this legacy in Connecticut. 

The family extends special thoughts and gratitude to Dr. Stacey Stein, Kristen Kaley, Mary Cobb, Sandy Marshall-Ray, and the entire staff at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale and Hospice of Branford. Special thanks also go to Dr. Joseph Quaranta of Branford and Dr. Bob Hall of Farmington.

In addition to his loving wife, Don is survived by his children Maura Andrus Page of Branford, Tim Andrus of Guilford, Brian Andrus and his wife Katie Mathieu Andrus of Guilford, and Sheila Andrus Cameron and her husband Robert of Middlebury,Vermont; his son-in-law Gary Page of Branford; daughter-in-law Helena Alves of Guilford; and nine special guardian angels, his grandchildren, Connor James Page, Brendan Michael Page, Bridget Ann Page, Molly M. Andrus, Charles Butler Andrus, John Henry Andrus, James Case Andrus, Emma Fallon Andrus and Ann Elizabeth Andrus. He is also survived by his 97-year-old sister, Arlene Andrus Wiggins of Austin, Texas; his cousin Reverend Norma Rust of Simsbury; nieces Kate Murphy of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Susan Olson of Simsbury, and Pamela Hodgdon of Cedar Park, Texas; and his nephew Bruce Wiggins of Boulder, Colorado. Don was predeceased by his brother Butler Williams Andrus; and his good friend of 80 years, Ray Joyce.

All family and friends are invited to a mass in celebration of Don’s life Saturday, Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Church of St. George in Guilford, with a reception to follow. A private ceremony will be held at the Andrus family plot in the Simsbury cemetery at a later date. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations are gratefully accepted at Hospice of Branford, CT, or the Wounded Warriors Fund. The Hawley Lincoln Funeral Home, Guilford, is in charge of arrangements.