James Andrews Obituary

Age 70, of Upper St. Clair, died suddenly and unexpectedly on April 29, 2025.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Gail (Soisson) Andrews, sisters Marie (David) Jenner and Marjorie Andrews, his mother-in-law, Lucinda Soisson, brothers-in-law Randy (Roberta) Soisson, Robert Soisson, several nephews, and a niece. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Marjorie Andrews, and father-in-law, Robert Soisson.
Jim was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania in 1954. "Dr J," as he was a ectionately known by his friends, grew up a huge sports fan. He had a lifelong passion for sports writing which began at Bishop Guilfoyle High School when he started writing a weekly column for the Altoona Mirror. When he matriculated to Duquesne University, he continued his sports writing as an associate editor for the Duquesne Dukes newspaper. In 1976, Jim graduated magna cum laude with a degree in journalism, radio, and television.
Jim continued his education at Duquesne University School of Law and graduated in 1979. He had a long and distinguished legal career holding various positions as an insurance defense lawyer culminating in his last position as Managing Attorney of the Nationwide Insurance o ce in Pittsburgh. He was active in the Washington County Bar Association and was past president of the Southwest Trial Lawyers Association.
Jim retired in 2018. He always said that he didn't want his obituary to say "recently retired". While he was taken away from us way too soon, he packed a lot of good times into his last seven years. When he and Gail weren't traveling, Jim most enjoyed his Tuesday/Thursday golf outings at Lindenwood Golf Club, spending time in a casino and being a connoisseur of fine bourbon. Jim also had one unique hobby: he was an avid shopper who clipped coupons "back in the day" and never missed a bargain.
Jim was a die-hard Pittsburgh sports fan, especially Duquesne University basketball. No one was more excited than Jim when he was able to travel to Omaha, Nebraska to watch his beloved Dukes compete in the NCAA tournament.
Always with a smile on his face, Jim never had a bad day. He had many close friends and truly loved spending time with all of them.
Last and most importantly, Jim had a strong faith. He was a long-time parishioner of St. John Capistran Church, Upper St. Clair.
Family and friends will be received at Beinhauer Funeral Home, 2828 Washington Road, McMurray PA 15317 on Thursday, May 8 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 9 at 10:00am at St. John Capistran Church, 1610 McMillan Road, Pittsburgh PA 15241. Everyone please meet at the church. Burial will be private at Calvary Cemetery in Altoona.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to John Paul Manor, 856 Cambria Street, Cresson, PA 16630 (http://www.johnpaul2manor.org/) To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James F. Andrews, Jr., please visit our floral store.