Andrew Charles Reck

Andrew Charles Reck, 52, of Watervliet, MI passed away on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, MI. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 Delaware, Benton Harbor, officiated by Rev. William Jacobs, JR.; with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 on Tuesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with a rosary being said at 7:30 PM Tuesday. Memorials may be made to the family for the Girl’s College Fund at 5/3 Bank or SS. John & Bernard Catholic Community Center. Friend wishing to leave a condolence may do so at the guest book at www.starks-menchinger.com. Andy was born on February 25, 1960 to Donald & Vera (Scheer) Reck in Muskegon MI. Andy did not “lose his battle with cancer” as so many say. Throughout all, he kept his faith, spirit and positive and optimistic attitude, so in the end he won what was most important. Though he loved life and lived it to the full, he courageously fought the beast not because of a fear of death, but for the benefit of his wife and three daughters. A life-long Christian, Andy cherished his discovery of the Catholic Faith and had begun to work toward his long-time dream of becoming a deacon. Family was his next priority, and he cherished and spoiled his four “girls:” wife and best friend Mary, and daughters: Monica, Jacinta, and Miriam. He devoted his life to endowing them with a gift greater than any inheritance: a lifetime of precious memories packed into a shortened time. He also leaves behind a devoted mother, Vera, sisters Susan (James) Gibney and Judy (Steven) Engen, brothers Donald (Beverly) and James (Barbara), and numerous beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins, and an uncountable number of friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Reck, his brother Richard, his grandparents, and several uncles and aunts. Andy began his career as an Electrical Engineer at Hamilton Standard in Connecticut. Wanting to be closer to family, he found a fit at Whirlpool, Corp., where he was an invaluable contributor for over 25 years, most recently as a Lead Electrical Engineer. Music, however, was always his passion, and he would try to schedule his treatments so they would not interfere with a “gig” with his band: “WYSIWYG” (What You See Is What You Get). He could never pass a piano without stopping to “tickle the ivories.” A friend to all, he lit up any room he entered. He lived more life in 52 years than most could live in multiple lifetimes. Now the real party begins.