Reverend John F. Andrews, 85, a retired priest of the Fall River Diocese, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2021, at Marian Manor.

John was born in North Dighton, the son of the late Francis FG Andrews and Julia (Trond) Andrews. He was a 1954 graduate of Coyle High School, Cardinal O’Connell Seminary and received his Masters in Divinity degree from St. John’s Major Seminary in Brighton. He was ordained at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River in 1962.

Following his 1962 ordination, Father Andrews was first assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Fall River, beginning a ministry that took him all across the Diocese of Fall River, most of that on Cape Cod where he spent 34 years. Father Andrews has the rare distinction of having been responsible for building two new church buildings, St. Joan of Arc in Orleans, which was dedicated in 1984, and Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Wellfleet, dedicated in 2009. He served at SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Fall River, St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Buzzards Bay, and St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, and served as pastor at St. Bernard Parish in Assonet, St. Dominic Parish in Swansea, and St. Patrick Parish in Fall River.

Fr. Andrews was dedicated and passionate about everything he did for the Catholic Faith and was the only priest ordained from the town of Berkley. Some of his favorite appointments included serving as chaplain of the Fall River and Cape Cod Boy Scouts and chaplain of the ECHO retreat program for nearly 50 years. He also served as director of Catholic Charities on Cape Cod.

John had a passion for genealogy and was a descendant of Mayflower passenger Stephen and Constance Hopkins, Thomas Rogers and Degory Priest. He was a member of the Old Colony, Scituate and Wellfleet Historical Societies. In retirement, Fr. Andrews continued to assist at St. Joseph Church in N. Dighton, St. Patrick’s Church in Falmouth and the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation in Dighton.

John is survived by his siblings, Carol L. Mills of Berkley, Ann K. McGurk and her husband Dr. William McGurk, Jr. of Venice FL, and Price Edward Island, Louis O. Andrews and his wife Mary Ann of Williamsburg, VA and Robert V. Andrews and his wife Eleanor of Naples, FL; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and a large extended family.

He was the brother of the late Mary E. Andrews.

Calling Hours will be held on Friday, November 5, 2021 from 4-6pm in Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First St., Taunton.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10am in the church. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

Burial will follow in St. Francis Cemetery, Glebe Street, Taunton.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Fr. Andrews’ memory may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, PO Box 1414, Wellfleet, MA 02667.

Arrangements entrusted to the Crapo-Hathaway Funeral Home, Taunton. To leave a message for the family, please visit www.hathawayfunerals.com.

May the Lord grant Father Andrews the fullness of life promised to His faithful ones.

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