Andy Colmant, Devoted Eucharistic Minister and Park Service Guide, Dies at 81

Andrew R. Colmant, 81, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, at his residence, the Bayshore Healthcare Center in Holmdel.

Andy was a U.S. Marine, attorney, volunteer, swimmer, gardener, loving father and grandfather. He was also a constant and caring servant to his community.

Andy touched the lives of many people, as a Eucharistic Minister, bringing Holy Communion to Bayshore Community Hospital for decades as a member of the community of St. Benedict, where he also served as a finance chairman and track coach.

He was a faithful volunteer for the National Park Service at the lighthouse at Sandy Hook, NJ, and a tour guide at the Twin Lights Historic Site in Navesink, NJ. At the healthcare center, Andy transported patients to physical therapy and became the unofficial gardener, reinvigorating the courtyard, feeding and protecting its birds.

A devoted fan of the Dodgers, Andy was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1931. Despite skipping school for Ebbitt's field, he nevertheless graduated from Lafayette High School in Brooklyn in 1950.

A devoted patriot, Andy served in the Marine Corps from 1952-1954. He was awarded the degrees of BBA (1957) and LLB (1959) from St. John's University in Brooklyn, passed the NY State Bar Examination in 1959 and was employed as admiralty attorney at the Wall Street firm of Hill, Rivkins. Andy was admitted as an Attorney and Counsellor of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1991 and was a Member of the N.Y. State Bar Association for more than 50 years.

Andy is survived by his former wife, Selma; his children, Elizabeth, Carolyn, Stephen and Robby; his grandchildren, Michael, Hilary, Jordan, Olivia and Josephine; and an enormous community of friends in NJ and NY.

A wake will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 15 at Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 16 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 165 Bethany Road, Holmdel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations for Andy's Garden at the Bayshore Healthcare Center.

Please make checks payable to Meridian Health Foundation, please note: For Andy's Garden. Send donations to Bayshore Healthcare Center, 715 North Beers St., Holmdel, NJ 07733. For directions or to send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.holmdelfuneralhome.com.