Obituary: Andrew J. Rice, 63, Of Cheshire

From Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home

Andrew Joseph Rice (Andy), 63, of Cheshire, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2018 after a brave battle with cancer. Born on November 21, 1954 in St. Louis, Missouri, he was the son of the late Dr. Frank Rice and Kathleen Rice of Southport, Connecticut.

Andy is survived by his wife, Kathryn Pandajis Rice of Cheshire; his three daughters: Kristina Rice and her fiancée Charles Nitze of Seattle, Melanie Rice and her partner Dr. Gregory Barron of Middletown, and Rebecca Rice and her fiancée Thomas Adinolfi of Southington; his mother-in-law Florence Pandajis of Cheshire. He is also survived by his siblings: Marilyn Rice of Southport, Janet DiGiovanni and her husband Mike of Ansonia, Thomas Rice and his wife Deborah of Wallingford, Cassie Brown of Danbury, and David Rice and his wife Suzanne of Stamford. In addition, he also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother William Rice, his brother-in-law David Brown, and his father-in-law James Pandajis.

After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, Andy was head chef at Costa-Azzurra of Milford. Following that, he worked as a Research Food Scientist at Chesebrough-Ponds, where he developed several Ragu spaghetti sauces, and as a Technical Research Director at Nerac. In addition, he was a devoted volunteer for the past 22 years at the Special Olympics Connecticut summer games as the head of the food service committee. In his spare time Andy enjoyed cooking, golfing, reading, and eating ice cream.

Please join us for a celebration of his life on Friday, January 5, 2018 at 12 p.m. at Memories at The Tradition Golf Club, 37 Harrison Road, Wallingford, CT 06492. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Andy’s honor to Special Olympics Connecticut, 2666 State Street Suite 1, Hamden, CT 06517. Arrangements are in care of Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home here.