Andrew Rawdon

ANDREW (ANDY) S. RAWDON, 68

Most recently living in Potsdam, NY, Andy left us peacefully while hospitalized at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, NY on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. He was born on September 15, 1955, in South Orange, NJ to Richard H. and Marilyn E. Rawdon.

Andy was happiest when he was either in the mountains, on the water kayaking, reading, and working for the various non-profit organizations that he supported. He was the ultimate volunteer. From shoveling driveways and sidewalks for his neighbors in the Turtle Pond neighborhood in Saranac Lake as a child and teenager to serving on numerous executive boards including Historic Saranac Lake. Andy found giving to others very rewarding and would have done it as a career if it were possible.

He loved climbing the Adirondack 46 peaks and said that he probably climbed most of them more than once because he introduced many high school and college friends to the mountains. He especially enjoyed obtaining his 46th peak on a trip with his brother, Michael.

Andy was a proud 1973 graduate of Saranac Lake High School as well as a 1977 alum of SUNY Potsdam with a BA in Sociology. He was also a 1979 alum of University of San Francisco, Lone Mountain Campus with a MA degree in Legal Studies. The never-ending student finally completed his formal education by obtaining his Juris Doctorate in 1986 from Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio.

Andy is survived by his wife of 42 years, Deborah (Deb) S. Rawdon, his older son, Benjamin S. of Potsdam, his younger son, Samuel B. of Penfield, NY. He was immensely proud of both of his sons as they provided him with stimulating conversations and an ability to live vicariously through them by listening to their experiences throughout their lives.

He is also survived by his brother, Michael G. (Barbara) Rawdon of Poughkeepsie and his nephews, Ryan (Erin) of Leesburg, VA and Scott of Attleboro, MA. He is also survived by many friends and family members.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. There will be no calling hours, but friends and family are invited to join us to remember Andy’s eventful life on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 2:00 pm, at the Historic Saranac Lake at the Saranac Laboratory Museum’s John Black Room. Please come with stories to share if you wish. Please consider sending a memorial donation to Historic Saranac Lake at 89 Church Street, Suite 2, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, Compeer Rochester at 259 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607 or SUNY Potsdam College Foundation at 44 Pierrepont Avenue, Raymond Hall 507, Potsdam, NY 13676.