Andrew F. Schackner, beloved husband of Susan A. (Swiszcz) Schackner, died unexpectedly at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital on March 12, 2017. He resided in Mystic, CT.

Andy, son of the late Austin J. and Mary C. Schackner was born in Westerly at the former Margaret Edward Anderson Hospital. He is a graduate of the former Immaculate Conception School and Westerly High School.

He proudly served his country in Vietnam in the US Army 18th Military Police Brigade and retired from a long career as a letter carrier with the US Postal Service in Groton, CT. An avid sports fan, he loved the Pittsburg Pirates, PC Friars and the Connecticut Huskies. He played high school basketball and enjoyed coaching the former youth CYO basketball teams at his former parish, Immaculate Conception. Andy traveled with his teams for competitive sports throughout the Providence Diocese.

Andy was a communicant of St. Mary’s Mother of the Redeemer Parish in Groton and an usher at the 5:30 evening Mass. His love of gardening was evident, planting his own seeds for his vegetables and plants. He had a love for nature and outside work was his passion. Andy was a fun loving person, a kind and gentle man with a zest for life, love for his family, his country and his faith.

Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his sister Catherine M. and brother George J., both of Westerly. He was predeceased by his brother Gerald A. “Jerry”. Andy was the uncle of Gerald “Jed” Schackner and Peter J. Schackner of Westerly; his nieces, Lynn Mary Brooks of Narragansett and Kate E. Sullivan of Plainfield, CT; five great nieces and nephews; and many cousins and friends. He also leaves his mother-in-law Clara M. Swiszcz; sisters-in-law, Helen Schwartz (Alan) and Linda Stevens; a niece Samantha Stevens; a nephew Scott Stevens and great nephew Prescott Stevens.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, March 16, 2017 from 5-7pm at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly, RI. A Funeral Liturgy will be held on Friday, St. Patrick’s Day, at 11am at St. Mary’s Mother of the Redeemer, Groton, CT. There is no procession from the funeral home to church. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 301 So. County Trl., Exeter, RI. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Andy’s parish, St. Mary’s Mother of the Redeemer, 69 Groton Long Point Road, Groton, CT 06340. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com

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