Andrew Thomas Nardone, 54, of Wilmington, passed away unexpectedly on May 21, 2023. He was a husband and father, son and brother, and a loyal friend to many. He was loved deeply by all.
Andy was born in Wilmington. He spent his youth in rural Newark, Old New Castle and Pike Creek Valley, collecting many friends and stories along the way. In 1986, he graduated from John Dickinson High School, where he played ice hockey, managed the girls’ field hockey team, and enjoyed a degree of notoriety for his wicked wit and unforgettable antics in the classroom and beyond. It is a testament to his big personality and deep sense of loyalty that he remained close with his Dickinson friends throughout his life.
Andy graduated from the University of Delaware in 1995 with a degree in English education, then soon hit the road with one of those good friends for an epic cross-country trip to iconic places such as the Grand Canyon. After sojourning in California for a few months, he returned to the East Coast to live several years in Ocean City, Maryland. He cooked in restaurants, tended bar, ate a bay’s worth of blue crabs and shared many good times with his ever-expanding circle. With them, he traveled to England, Ireland and France, where he never failed to connect with locals in the pub or appreciate some of the world’s finest art and culture. In a word, Andy always made an impression.
He lived several years in Baltimore, where he worked as a top sales rep for Random House Books, then owned and operated The Barn, a landmark tavern and crab house in Carney.
Andy enjoyed more recent trips to Italy and Hawaii. He loved hot rods and motorcycles, surfing and sailing, great books, music of all kinds, fine wine, and good food. He loved to bring people together at his bars and around his table, and he loved those people most of all.
In 2017, Andy reunited with Tara, mother of their daughter Maddalena. They were the great loves of his life.
Andy was predeceased by his father, E. Anthony “Tony” Nardone. He is survived by his wife, Tara (Souffie), their daughter, Maddalena (Maddie), and Jack, who Andy loved like his own son; his mother, Rhoda Domenic (Kline); brother Mark Nardone and wife Dina (Melchiorre), sister Catherine Nardone and partner, Steve Turner; his in-laws, Bob and Patty Souffie, Sean and Susan Souffie, and Andy Knapp and Kelly (Souffie); his nieces and nephews, who saw Uncle Andy as a hulking, walking ton of fun.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sean’s House Unlocke the Light.
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