Thomas Alfred Andrews

Thomas Alfred Andrews was born February 14, 1873 in Napa California.  His parents were John R. Andrews and Mary Mills. 

He was called Tom and in later years was living in Berkeley when he met Alma Sierra.  There was a courtship and then a marriage in January 1914.  They had two children born in Berkeley, Helen on October 4, 1914 and Walter on February 22, 1916.  Both children received their education in Berkeley.

Tom was a butcher until he accidentally chopped off his thumb and became a firefighter.  After a few years he was promoted to captain.  He worked with the fire department until he retired.

Tom and Alma were divorced in 1927 or 1928 but he was always there for his children and still considered a member of the family.  On his days off he would be with his children cooking, caring for and entertaining them.  He was a loving caring person and a devoted father.

In later years Tom lived with his son and daughter-in-law, Lois, in Long Beach.  Tom died here on April 6, 1955 and the services were held at Patterson & Snively Chapel.  He was 82 years old.

Note:  I remember as a little girl I couldn't understand how Uncle Tom could put his whole thumb up one nostril of his nose.  Of course------he had no thumb!  My mother would kid Uncle Tom as when there was a house fire he would get on the roof and chop a hole.  My parents would hear the fire sirens of a fire truck and follow the sound in their car, with my brother and me in the back seat, until they found the fire so they could watch Uncle Tom work.