Andrews, Carroll Thomas
In memoriam (1918 - 2014)
Carroll Thomas received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Wisconsin and then his Licentiate in Music (summa cum laude) from the University of Montreal in 1947. In 1965 he moved to St. Petersburg, where he became Director of Music for the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine and later for the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
Music has always been his career even in military service where he organized many musical groups, vocal and instrumental, including the Continentals Band which toured occupied countries. He was known as an accomplished organist, director, and composer of hundreds of published pieces and books of church music, as well as sets of books of secular music. For many years he specialized in Gregorian Chant and taught courses in early forms of music. He was an Honorary Lifetime Member of the American Guild of Organists. Among his many awards was the Papal Medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice in 1999.
Carroll Thomas Andrews was born October 27, 1918 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Marie and Benjamin Andrews. He was educated in Milwaukee and enlisted in the Army in 1940. He was a survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack, was commissioned in 1942 and served in England, Normandy, France, Germany and Rhineland. Returning as a Captain, he was very active in the Reserve for 20 years in Toledo, Ohio, where he moved after active duty. He received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Wisconsin and then his Licentiate in Music (summa cum laude) from the University of Montreal in 1947. He retired from the Air Force Reserve as a Lt. Col. In 1949 he married Louann M. Ehret in Toledo, and their four children were born there. In 1965 the family moved to St. Petersburg, where he became Director of Music for the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine and later for the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Music has always been his career even in military service where he organized many musical groups, vocal and instrumental, including the Continentals Band which toured occupied countries. In civil life he was known as an accomplished organist, director and composer of hundreds of published pieces and books of church music, as well as sets of books of secular music. For many years he specialized in Gregorian Chant and taught courses in early forms of music. He was a Life Member Emeritus of the Military Officers Association of America, and an Honorary Lifetime Member of the American Guild of Organists. He was a life-long Catholic, a member of The Cathedral Parish of St. Jude, St. John Vianney and Blessed Sacrament Church. He was also a Eucharistic Minister and a Cursillista. Among his many awards was the Papal Medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice in 1999. He is predeceased by his wife, Louann M. Andrews. He is survived by his four children, Fr. Gregory Andrews, Citrus Springs; Julie Welsh (Bill) Madeira Beach; Mark Andrews (Pat) Littleton, CO; and Beth Ford (Charlie) Seminole. He is also survived by six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Brett Funeral Home & Cremation Services. - See more at: http://www.brettfuneralhome.net/obituary?id=1373598#sthash.QxvAMqrC.dpuf