Andrew Book

Andrew "Andy" Book, 98, passed away on February 27, 2025, in Morehead City, North Carolina. 

Born on November 25 (Thanksgiving Day) 1926, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to Antony and Maria Book, Andy lived a full and vibrant life. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, primarily working as a sonar technician on a submarine off the coast of Japan. He subsequently earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico and a Master's degree from Hofstra University. He met the love of his life, Dorothy Wydner, in the summer of 1959 when she signed up to take guitar lessons from him. They were engaged by Thanksgiving and married the day after Christmas that year before honeymooning in Cuba. 

Andy and Dorothy both became elementary school teachers with one of the highlights being the year they spent teaching in Colombia, South America, in the early 1960s. Another highlight was Andy’s sabbatical year when he and Dorothy and their one-year-old baby, Adam, traveled across Europe together. While living in Spain that year, Salvador Dali stopped by their flat one day and Andy chatted him up. Andy could speak three languages - English, Spanish, and Russian - and had a knack of connecting with people wherever he went. It was hard to travel anywhere without Andy asking that you look up someone he knew there! 

Andy settled down in Smithtown, New York, teaching elementary school students in nearby Brentwood. His summers were spent with his wife and their three children, Adam, Claudia and Evan, sailing on the Long Island Sound aboard their beloved sailboat, the *Sea Love.” After retiring from teaching, Andy and his wife relocated to Beaufort, North Carolina, where they enjoyed the serenity of waterfront living for 36 years. He loved to catch shrimp or crabs off the dock behind their house, especially because they didn’t cost him anything. 

 Andy had a passion for entertaining those around him. Whether telling jokes—often with a mischievous edge—playing musical instruments like the guitar, harmonica, or violin, or sharing personal anecdotes such as "don't lose that smile," he had a gift for bringing joy to others. He always loved to get people to sing at social gatherings, especially to bawdy songs such as “I Don’t Look Good Naked Anymore". He was also a talented caricature artist who created personalized cards for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions. His yearly homemade holiday card was always highly anticipated by friends and family members. Most recently, Andy's playful spirit extended to encouraging people to wear red clown noses or play kazoos—because he simply loved making people laugh. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Dorothy; his children Adam Book (Steven Steinberg) and Claudia Gillikin (Tommy Dean Gillikin); his grandchildren Drew Lewis and Christian Gillikin (Katlin); his great-grandchildren Carlin, Zander, and Charlotte Rae; his nieces Carol Gribick, Susie Klimko and Bea Rogers (Tom); his nephew Bobby Book; his grandnieces Meredith Gribick and Katie Rogers; and his grandnephews Jason Gribick and Luke Gribick. He was predeceased by his son Evan Book, his brother Peter and his sister Mary. 

Andy’s legacy is one of laughter, creativity, and camaraderie. He will be missed by many. A celebration of Andy’s life will be held at a date and time to be scheduled.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noefs.netArrangements by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC.