Andrew Wayne Moss

Janine Mannick Moss and Andrew Moss, circa 1985.

Andrew Wayne Moss, a 1986 alumnus of Strath Haven High School, died October 10 in Plainfield, N.J. He was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disorder Huntington’s disease in 2004, as was late his father, William Wayne Moss, formerly of Swarthmore.

Andy and his brother Michael moved to Swarthmore in 1973. They attended Wallingford-Swarthmore schools, both starting their schooling with Mrs. Pat Jackson as their kindergarten teacher. Early in middle school, Andrew began piano lessons with Dee Battisti on Benjamin West Avenue. This was the start of his lifelong love of music. Andrew and Amy Battisti were early friends, among many others including Lyn McCafferty, Kenneth Hasbrouck, Rob Hopkins and Zoe Mulford. At Strath Haven High School, Andrew excelled in language classes and loved Sumo Club, learning about Japanese culture and cuisine. His best high school job was at Sidetracks, owned by Beth Gross, former editor of The Swarthmorean.

He attended Ithaca College, majoring in film and minoring in electronic music, graduating in 1990. He worked at the college radio station between semesters and during summer breaks, making many friends. There he met his future wife, Kara Mullane (Ithaca 1991).

Andrew’s career took him to Baltimore, Md., Port Chester, N.Y., and Seattle, Wash., working with computer graphics. He formed and played in bands, as he had at Strath Haven and in college. Among others, his bands included Postman, Home to Henry, and Evil Little Men. He wrote original songs and performed instrumentals of his music as well as covers of such groups as Velvet Underground.

Andrew and Kara moved to Burbank, Calif., after his diagnosis, to be close to his father and brother, and later relocated to San Francisco. Andrew moved back to Seattle after their separation and his father’s death. He moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., but was unable to live independently as his disease progressed. He spent several months in a Maryland nursing home near his mother until being placed in 2013 in a New Jersey skilled nursing facility with a Huntington’s specialty. While there, before completely disabled, he would play guitar and sing with visiting musicians to fellow patients and staff.

In 2012, Janine Mannick, a friend from his teen years, reentered his life and became his sweetheart and chief advocate, as he transitioned from walking to wheelchair to bed-bound. Janine adopted the name Moss to signify her commitment to him. On October 8 and 9 this year, Michael came from California to join Janine and his mother at his side. On the morning of October 10, Andrew died peacefully being promised that his dad was waiting for him at the train station.

Surviving are Janine Moss, his soul mate, of Newtown, Pa., Kate O’Donnell; his mother and stepfather Craig O’Donnell of Delaware City, Del.; brother Michael Moss and his wife Michele; nephews Atticus, Tali and Finn of Burbank, Calif.; and uncle Bruce Cummings and his wife Sandy of Bend, Ore. He is also survived by his former stepfather George Myer and half-brother, Patrick Myer, of Media, and Andrew’s former wife, Kara Mullane, of California.

A memorial service for Andrew will be held in Swarthmore at a future date. Notice of that will be published in The Swarthmorean.