Obituary: Andrew Perrine ‘Perry’ Monroe Jr.

Andrew Perrine “Perry” Monroe Jr., 91, of Sarasota and formerly of Longboat Key and New Canaan, Conn., died April 10.

Born Oct. 12, 1923, in Orange, N.J., and raised in Short Hills, N.J., he graduated from the Choate School in Wallingford, Conn., and was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Princeton University, where he lettered in cross-country and track. He received a medical discharge from the Navy V-12 program in 1944, then, joined the Army Reserve during the Korean War and served a year of active duty.

In 1947, he met the love of his life, Betty, on a blind date and married her six months later on Valentine’s Day. His career in the printing equipment industry took them to live in New Jersey, New York City, San Mateo, Calif., Wilmette, Ill., Winnetka, Ill., and finally New Canaan, Conn. During his career, he was Midwest manager for the Web Offset Division of ATF in Chicago, then a partner in Uniweb International Inc. and, later, vice president of marketing of Hantscho Inc. 

During his 30 years in Connecticut, he was active in many community and volunteer associations. He was a youth basketball coach and served as president of the United Way of New Canaan, on the vestry at St. Mark’s Church and on the board of governors of the Country Club of New Canaan.

The Monroes retired in 1988 to Longboat Key.

After moving to Longboat Key, Mr. Monroe became an active member of All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church and served on its vestry. He also served on the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board and as treasurer of the Longboat Key Center for the Arts. At the Arts Center, he became a passionate sculptor. Many of his alabaster sculptures adorn his children’s homes; one is prominently displayed in the lobby of Plymouth Harbor, and his sculpture of a kneeling Mary is located on a low stand in front of the pulpit at All Angels. 

Mr. Monroe is remembered for his sense of humor and the twinkle in his eye that would light up any room. He volunteered for Meals on Wheels, delivering meals once a week with Betty in Sarasota. He was an enthusiastic tennis and squash player and played tennis until he was 85. His friends would generously say he was a mediocre golfer and skier. He was also an avid bridge player and loved to dance. He and Betty were often the first ones on and last  ones off the dance floor. 

Mr. Monroe was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, in 2013. He is survived by children Bill Monroe, of Sarasota, Steve Monroe, of New Canaan, and Meg Zellinger, of Bowdoinham, Maine; and nine grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held May 30, at All Angels.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Plymouth Harbor Foundation, 700 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34236.