
Obituary of Andrew J. Carlowicz, Sr.
Andrew Joseph Carlowicz Sr.
October 19, 1937 - January 31, 2025
Andrew Joseph Carlowicz passed away on January 31, 2025, after a brief illness. He was born October 19, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey, as the only son of Viola Hemhauser and Edward Carlowicz. He was a longtime resident of Edison, NJ, before spending his last year in Tinton Falls.
As a young man, he aspired to be a journalist and briefly studied at Farleigh Dickinson College. But soon he met his love Maryann, and together they built a life, a family, and a 59-year-marriage. He worked his way up in business, from assistant manager at the neighborhood A&P to a 25-year career as sales manager at S.C. Johnson Wax, and another decade at WD-40. He also served in the Army National Guard (stateside) during the Vietnam War era.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Maryann Jane (Petitt) Carlowicz, and his grandson Thomas Carlowicz. He is survived by his son, Andrew Carlowicz Jr. and wife Susan; his daughter Peggy Barron and husband John; and his son Michael Carlowicz. He also leaves seven grandchildren who he adored -- Elizabeth, Jennifer, Cecilia, Agnes, Rachel, Samantha, and Michael Jr. -- plus grandsons-in-law Gary, Zac, CDan, and Marc.
Though life took him away from journalism, Andy was a voracious reader of newspapers, subscribing to as many as four papers until his last day. He soaked up TV news, Jeopardy, and loved a good old-fashioned sitcom. He was a voracious book reader, with a special love for science fiction, baseball stories, and history. He has read more books about World War II than many scholars.
As a father, he was an old-school breadwinner, working hard to provide a good education and home for his kids. He still found time to volunteer and to cheer on his kids (and later, grandchildren) at football, basketball, soccer, and baseball games and at cheerleading, music, dance, and flag-twirling competitions. He took great pride in seeing his kids build successful careers and businesses while raising loving families.
He truly lit up for his grandchildren, who called him Pop. He always had a quarter and a moment to put a young child on the ride outside the grocery store, when he wasn't inside buying snacks with the kids. Pop loved to take them to the boardwalks and arcades of the Jersey Shore (especially Point Pleasant), winning stuffed animals for everyone. From mini-golf to card games to picking blueberries to Mexican train dominoes to water parks, he relished playing with all of them.
Andy was a regular at the Jersey beaches, especially Sandy Hook, Seaside, and Wildwood Crest. He was a constant day-tripper, finding famous and obscure attractions, museums, theaters, and restaurants all over the Northeast. He traveled to Europe multiple times, and visited many American cities and national parks. He considered travel one of the great blessings of his life.
He loved all sports, and was a long-suffering but loyal Jets fan. His true passion was baseball and the New York Yankees -- a passion he shared with all of his children and grandchildren and his fellow die-hard fan, Diane Brevet. He also savored good food, from fancy Italian dishes to diner comfort foods to the perfect piece of toast every morning. He found joy in the simple pleasures of life, and loved sharing them with friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to donate in Andy's memory to your favorite charity.
Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 10:00 AM funeral service on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at the Funeral Home. Entombment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, East Lincoln Avenue and Hoes Lane, Piscataway. For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com