Obituary: Orville 'Ditto' Andrews III

Orville “Ditto” Andrews III, 78, of Longboat Key, died Aug. 19.

Born Sept. 7, 1934, he spent his early life in Kent, Conn., and proudly served his country, first as an enlisted U.S. Air Force soldier and, later, in the reserves. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars and retired in 1977.

Formerly a dedicated Northeasterner, he found bliss the first time he drove over the Longboat Pass Bridge more than 30 years ago and made Longboat Key his permanent home in 1984.

Mr. Andrews was an eternal optimist who always had a smile on his face and time to converse with anyone he encountered. He was a licensed real-estate broker in Florida, a member of Kiwanis, Sarasota Chamber of Commerce (including the Committee of 100), Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce and Florida Property Managers Association.

Mr. Andrews is survived by his wife, Maureen; children Alexandrea, Kendall and Scott; and four grandchildren.

A memorial gathering will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Lazy Lobster Longboat Key, 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive, his favorite restaurant and home away from home. He will be interred on top of Skiff Mountain in Kent.