Thomas J. McAndrews Jr.

Thomas J. McAndrews Jr., 89, of Nashua, NH passed away peacefully at home on December 11, 2025, after a brief illness. Tom was born in Hazleton, PA on September 8, 1936, the son of the late Thomas and Jeanette (Pearson) McAndrews and grew up in West Hazleton and Drums, PA.

He was a graduate of West Hazleton High School and Columbia University. Tom married Joan Betterly, the love of his life, in 1961 and they were married for 60 years before her passing in 2021. In the early years, they resided in North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, and Delaware before moving to Nashua in 1976 for a “one year stay”.

Tom joined the Army in 1958 and proudly served as an infantryman in the 82nd Airborne where he was stationed in West Germany and Fort Bragg, NC. After the Army, he taught biology in NJ before starting his 30-year career with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. After retiring in 1995, he embarked on a 20-year second career with Flynn Construction. Tom and Joan were avid travelers who visited 40 countries and especially cherished their many extended trips to the Outer Banks of NC and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Generous, kind and a great storyteller with a dry sense of humor, he enjoyed spending time with family and long-time friends. Tom loved spending time with his grandsons, working on fun projects and rarely missing one of their many lacrosse and baseball games.

Tom is survived by his children; Tom and his wife Cathy of Nashua, NH, Jeff of Nashua, NH, and his grandchildren Austin and Aiden McAndrews. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Terry Betterly and his husband Victor of Philadelphia.

The family would like to thank the nursing staff in the CMC ICU unit and the hospice nurses from Home Health and Hospice for their wonderful care.

Friends are invited to Tom’s visitation on Tuesday, December 16th from 4:00 until 6:00 PM at DAVIS FUNERAL HOME, One Lock Street, Nashua, NH. Interment will take place in the spring. Donations may be made in Tom’s name to Home Health and Hospice Care, Merrimack, NH or the Nashua Soup Kitchen.