Andrew Alderette

Andrew Alderette
November 13, 1926 – August 29, 2021

Andrew Alderette was a true American patriot, hero and most importantly, our loving patriarch who made our lives so wonderful. His movie star smile, his gentle yet deep laugh, his strong handshake, his impeccable taste in sharp suits, and his devoted love for his family were just a few of his classic trademarks.

Andrew passed away on August 29, 2021 at the age of 94.

Born in the small town of Mesilla, New Mexico in 1926, Andrew’s young life was changed when his mother, Mary Alba, was killed in her 30s by a truck on N.M. 28 in Mesilla. Years later, his father, Juan Alderete, was struck near the same spot and lost a leg. He never remarried. He moved Andrew and his brother, Leo, to LA in the early 40s. In later years, Andrew changed the spelling of his last name by adding a “T” due to discrimination towards Mexican-Americans. He wanted it to look like he was Italian to minimize further discrimination.

Andrew was drafted into the Army in 1945 for World War II. He did not talk much about his service during that war, but he was sent to Guam where clean-up operations took place, flushing out the last of the Japanese soldiers. He was then drafted into the Air Force in 1951 during the Korean War, earning the rank of Sergeant First Class.

After proud service to his country, he married Mary Lou Rendon and they had 5 children together: Andy, Stevie, Billy, Denise and Ronnie. He also became a loving stepfather to Gloria, Loni, and Susie. With such a cadre of unique and very colorful personalities, there was never a dull moment for Andrew. Being a huge fan of baseball, Andrew taught his kids how to throw and hit a baseball hard. The Los Angeles Dodgers was his team.

Working a good steady and honest job was Andrew’s pride outside of his family. He sold insurance, cars, and was a Fuller Brush Man. Before he retired, he was a sales manager for Montgomery Ward and Sears. 

When his children had their own kids, Andrew was a devoted grandfather. He came to their birthday parties, Christmas Eve gatherings, and the family softball games. At those games, Andrew always smacked the ball out of the park!

His grandchildren and great grandchildren included Rob, Steve, (Little) Billy, Susan, Barbara, Mikey, David, Farahnaaz, Will, Andrea, Stewart, Phyla, Lily, Andrew, William Jr., Daniel, Desiree, Veronica, Jaxson, Zoey, Kingston, Benjamin, Melia, Cassius, Silas, Penelope, Austin, Laurie, Adriana, Jeremy, Selena, Zackary, and Marissa. Andrew was close to son-in-law Mike, son-in-law Rick, daughter-in-law Ruth and great granddaughter, Alexandria.

After his marriage to Mary Lou came to an end, he married Joy Rodriguez in the 1970s. The marriage was short lived but amicable. By 1987, he married Pat Mountain. Andrew & Pat shared 19 wonderful years together until her untimely passing in 2006. His stepdaughter, Teresa, took care of him in his later years.

Quite sadly, Andrew was preceded in death far too early by daughters Gloria & Loni and grandson David.
  
With life’s challenges, Andrew still lived a happy, rich and rewarding life. He always knew how to cheer up those around him with a firm hug and his wisdom. He sung American music standards from the likes of Frank Sinatra, drove classic American made cars well into his retirement, and made killer shrimp scampi. Sharply dressed, quietly spoken and quick witted, Andrew was a class act. He is greatly missed, and we are truly grateful that he was such a huge part of our lives.    
 

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