Andrew William Dearborn, age 28 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Monday, June 13, 2022, at Hunterdon Care Center, Raritan Township, NJ, with his devoted parents, Joan and Bill, by his side, and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.

Born on October 23, 1993, at Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ, Andrew was the only child of William Frank and Joan Ellen Mannix Dearborn, and lived his entire life in the Hunterdon County, NJ, area.

Graduating from Hunterdon Central Regional High School in 2012, Andrew would continue his studies at Rider University, where in his senior year, life would take a dramatic turn for this young man who loved to laugh, sing, and travel the world taking photos as he wanted to capture the beauty of God’s creations.

Whereas a brain tumor diagnosis would make many fall into a dark place, Andrew never let cancer stop him from living life, and he was the one who always encouraged others to not be sorry for him, but rather to always stay optimistic and happy for him.

He participated in many chemotherapies, radiation treatments, and a clinical trial in an effort to heal and to allow the study of his specific type of brain cancer in the hopes of alleviating others suffering. He did well, going into remission in 2018, but unfortunately a reoccurrence in October of 2020 would not respond to treatments as the earlier tumors had. Andrew’s spirit though, allowed him to do many things with Camp-Mak-A-Dream, and he was very proud to have climbed Buttes in Gold Creek, MT, as well as participate in many other adventures.

Even with his illness, he still insisted on working and many remember Andrew’s larger than life smile at both Kohl’s and Marshall’s in Flemington, NJ, where he worked for many years.

With lots of hobbies, traveling and photography were among the things Andrew loved most. Proud of his Irish heritage, the family trip to Ireland where visits to the Cliffs of Moher and a day at Bunratty Castle (where Andrew was King for a day), ranked number one in his heart.

He was active in both the Young Adult Survivors Group of the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation and the Central NJ Brain Tumor Survivors Group, where he provided genuine love and support to all as they navigated their own life paths fighting this disease.

A former Boy Scout and member of Troop 194, Flemington, NJ, Andrew was proud of his catholic upbringing and was an avid music fan and concertgoer. He also loved sports and cheered on his teams, the New York Mets, New York Giants, and New Jersey Devils, whenever possible. Comedy being the cure for pain, Andrew loved to attend live comedy shows and saw Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and several other live late-night shows over the years. He also was part of the online group, ‘Tumor Humor’, which allowed those fighting cancer to let loose with one another in ways only those battling could understand in a safe space.

He was an active participant in Alcoholics Anonymous, proudly attaining sobriety on November 14, 2017, and was a fierce advocate for all those in the program and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need.

 In 2 Timothy 4:7-8, it is written:  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Andrew, your uncomplaining nature, your unconditional love, and your unwavering sense of humor in approaching life are but three things that make you truly a gift from God. Cancer never changed your loveable persona, so rest easy now and enjoy that crown you have truly earned, until we are all reunited again, in the place promised where there is no pain or suffering, but only light, peace, and hope.

Andrew was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, William F. Dearborn, Sr., and Mary Exton Dearborn, as well as by his maternal grandparents, Simon and Irene Stachyra Mannix.

Surviving, in addition to his mother and father, are his step-grandmother, Norma Dearborn; his aunts and uncles, Robert Dearborn, Steve and Lola Dearborn, Irene and George Weigly, and Thomas and JoAnn Mannix; his dear friends, Keith and Rocky Schwartz and Joy Herzog; many beloved cousins and extended family; his numerous supporters from AA, CBTF, and Camp-Mak-A-Dream; and countless friends made wherever he went.

Andrew’s family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to the nurses and staff of both Hunterdon Hospice and the Hunterdon Care Center for their love, support, and care of Andrew and the entire family during this time.

Family and friends will gather on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ, with reflections by family at 7:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. John Primich will take place on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at the church on Thursday morning beginning at 9:45 a.m. Please follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival.

Inurnment will follow at St. Magdalen Mausoleum, North Main Street, Flemington, NJ, and to which all are welcome.

Realizing that some may be unable to attend due to the pandemic, the reflections on Wednesday, as well as the Mass of Christian Burial and the interment will be live-streamed, with the stream being active starting at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday and 9:45 a.m. on Thursday. To watch, please click HERE and kindly ensure you do not have a pop-up blocker on. If you are having issues, copy and paste this link in your browser: https://vimeo.com/event/2215005. Please note that the link is the same for all events and there will be a pause as we proceed to the cemetery on Thursday.

You are encouraged to visit Andrew’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, via mail to: 1460 Broadway, New York, NY, 10036, or online by clicking HERE, or to Camp Mak-A-Dream (Children’s Oncology Camp Foundation), via mail to: P.O. Box 1450, Missoula, MT, 59806, or online by clicking HERE, or to the Sloan Kettering Primary Brain Tumor Research, by clicking HERE. Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated.

________________________

Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Andrew William Dearborn, please visit our Tribute Store.