Obituary of Lyman Brown Andrus

Lyman B. "Lem" Andrus, 97, of Essex Fells, N.J., passed away on Sept. 8, 2016. Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service to be held on Friday, September 23, 4 pm, at St. Peters Church, 271 Roseland Ave., Essex Fells, NJ Born in Newark, NJ, Lem moved to Essex Fells in 1929 and was an 86 year resident. After attending Essex Fells Grammar School, he graduated from The Kingsley School which was just down the street from his home. He began working for the Prudential Insurance Company in 1938 and, with the exception of spending four years in the Army during World War II, he spent his entire career at the Pru, retiring in 1986. An avid Yankee and Giant fan throughout his entire life, Lem loved playing and coaching baseball and basketball. He was an all-state prep school defensive guard on the Kingsley basketball team, and accomplished hurler for the baseball team; and he played both basketball and baseball for Prudential's Newark City Championship teams. For his contributions to the Prudential Canyons' multiple championship basketball teams, the company held a special ceremony to award him one of the trophies. Later he coached many of the St. Peter's Church and Essex Fells youth basketball and baseball teams to winning seasons. He readily admitted to never being able to conquer the game of golf, but later in life he embraced the racquet sports; and in addition to winning numerous club tennis championships, became a three-time 60 and over National Platform Tennis doubles champion. He was a member of the Knollwood Tennis Club and the Fells Brook Club. Always active in the community, Lem was an early member of the Essex Fells Skating Pond and Recreation Committees, and a lifetime exempt volunteer fireman for the Essex Fells Fire Department; he served as President of the Essex Fells Board of Education, and for six years was a member of the Essex Fells Town Council. He also served as Chairman of the Planning Committee for the establishment of West Essex High School. He was predeceased by Jean, his wife of sixty years, and by a grandson, John Abbey. Lem is survived by his son, John M. Andrus and his wife, Penny of Mendham NJ; Dale Andrus Abbey and her husband, Lee, of Bushkill, PA; grandchildren Heather Andrus Boyle, husband Scott, and children Lindsay, Cameron and Phoebe of Fair Haven, NJ; Jeffrey M. Andrus, wife Alison, and children Audrey, George and Ben of Haddonfield, NJ; Timothy J. Andrus, wife Reagen, and children Cecilia and Nolan of Georgetown, MA; Michael R. Andrus, wife Katy, and children Isabelle, Brynn and Emmett of Wayland, MA; Lee Abbey and children Holden, Charlie and Theo of Hopatcong, NJ; and Catherine Abbey, and daughter, Paislee. He is also survived by his good friend Jane Saylor of West Caldwell, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Essex Fells Fire Department.