Steve Andras, the husband of the late At-large City Councilor Patti Andras, thanked members of the council for their support of Patti during her battle with cancer, a battle that ended late last week.
“She was very proud to be a member of the City Council,” Andras said during the public participation agenda item. “She was very passionate about what she did. Remember her for her strength, courage, and that smile of hers.”
Andras thanked Mayor Daniel M. Knapik and the council members for the tree planting ceremony in Patti’s memory Monday, saying that she would have loved the idea.
Andras also thanked several councilors, including Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell and At-large Councilor Brian Sullivan, for attending to and assisting Patti during her final battle.
Patti participated in the city’s Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 28, joining other councilors. Sullivan pushed his colleague in a wheelchair. Andras lost her battle with cancer on Thursday May 31, at the age of 57.
Andras entered her political life as the mayoral campaign manager of then City Councilor Richard K. Sullivan Jr., helping him win the first of his six terms in office, Andras then became Sullivan’s administrative assistant, organizing many of the events, especially those for children, which are now traditions in the city.
Andras left that position to pursue a career in investment banking, most recently with Heaphy Investments in Springfield , but continued her public service as a member of the Police Commission, a post she held for more than a decade before standing for election to the City Council.
Over the years Andras served on the boards of Amelia Park, The American Red Cross, The Boys & Girls Club, The Forum House, the 104th Fighter Wing Community Advisory Board, Noble Hospital, Westfield State University, The Hampden County Estate Planning Council, The National Trust School Advisory Committee.
Former At-large Councilor Nick Morganelli, also speaking during public participation, spoke of Patti’s role as a peacemaker on the council where politically charged issues often put members at odds with each other.
“We’re all mourning the loss of a great citizen and friend,” Morganelli said. “Patti stood out as a class act, she was a peacemaker, a person of great integrity.”
“I will never forget her everlasting smile,” he said. “She brightened one’s day, made these chambers a more pleasant place.”
Morganelli then asked the council members to join him in prayer, lauding Andras’ strength and courage and asking the Lord for a special blessing for her husband, son and the Oleksak family.
Sullivan gave Patti’s City Council nameplate to Steve before he left the chambers.
The Council also voted to suspend its rule to act on a late communication from Knapik to take immediate action to approve the creation of a gift account for the Westfield Police Department technology program, as requested by Patti. That motion was unanimously approved.
A memorial ceremony, which she made arrangements for prior to her death, will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. in Amelia Park. Firtion-Adams Funeral Home is handling Andras’ funeral. There are no calling hours. Andras requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Westfield Police Department, 15 Washington Street, Westfield, MA, 01085, for the designated use of technology improvements.
James Adams, also an At-large councilor, said Andras wrote her own obituary and planned her services.
“It will be a simple celebration of life, just like she wanted,” said Rick Sullivan.
Andras leaves her husband, Stephen A. Andras, Jr., their son Stephen, his fiancé, Elizabeth, a sister, Sandra Duffy, three brothers, Robert, Richard, Jay, and a stepsister, Diane, an extended caring family and, in her own words, “friends beyond the ability to count.”
