Obituary: Joseph Andrew, Navy veteran who was longtime Wellesley High math teacher and tennis coach

Joseph Andrew, age 98, of Harpswell, Maine, and formerly of Wellesley, Massachusetts, passed away after a brief illness on January 17, 2025. Born at home in Everett, Massachusetts, on May 26, 1926, to Erminia and Joseph Cianciulli, he was raised alongside his younger brother George in a close-knit extended family.

Joseph began his education at Immaculate Conception Catholic School and graduated from Malden Catholic High School. At the age of 18, he voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served as a Fireman First Class in the Philippines on the island of Samar.

Following his military service, Joseph pursued higher education through the G.I. Bill and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a minor in Education from Bates College in 1951. In 1952, he married Gloria O’Leary and began his teaching career at Whitman High School. He later joined Wellesley High School, where he taught Math for 33 years. During his tenure there, he became Chairman of the Math Department and played a pivotal role in mentoring student teachers and introducing the school’s first computer curriculum.

Committed to lifelong learning, Joseph continued to advance his academic credentials throughout his career. He earned a Master of Education from Boston State College and a Master of Mathematics from Bowdoin College. He also pursued additional studies at Boston University and Wellesley College. His professional contributions extended beyond the classroom; he worked at M.I.T.’s Lincoln Laboratory and conducted research for the Maine Regional Medical Program regarding the potential for establishing a new profession in the State of Maine, that of Physician’s Assistant.

Joseph was also deeply involved in athletics. He coached Varsity Tennis at Wellesley High School for two decades, leading the team to multiple championships. After retiring from teaching, he remained active in education by mentoring future educators at Wellesley College and embarked on a second career in real estate with Coldwell Banker.

Later in life, Joseph moved full-time to Harpswell, Maine. There he embraced his love for painting while continuing to audit courses at Bowdoin College. In 2024, he was honored with a Blue Ribbon for Painting at the Brunswick Outdoor Art Festival-a testament to his enduring creativity and passion for learning. Among his many other interests were sailing, gardening, cooking, and poetry writing.

Joseph was predeceased by his beloved wife Gloria in 2005 and by his son David in 1996. He is remembered with love by his children Deborah, Gregory, Paul, and Nancy, as well as by his grandsons John Joseph Andrew and Tristan Mark Andrew. A Service is scheduled for Saturday, July 26 at 10:00 AM at Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Chapel, Harpswell, Maine following a reception at The Andrew Farm.

Donations in Joseph’s memory may be made to the Harpswell Neck Physical Education Association (www.hnpea.me). Mailing Address: HNPEA, P.O. Box 24, Harpswell, ME 04079.

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