Andrew Doll

Andrew Doll, 66, of Columbia, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 13, 2016. Andy was born on September 5, 1949 in the hallway of Manchester Memorial Hospital, the fourth of six children and the youngest boy. From the moment he made his dramatic entrance into this world, he was something special. Loved by all who knew him, Andy always knew exactly the right thing to say to diffuse any tough situations. He was a master of the art of listening and gifted in knowing how to make someone feel like they were the most important person in the world. Andy let everyone know they were loved and cared about. Andy was an avid fisherman, outdoorsman, and interpreter of nature. He always had an extremely sharp pocket knife handy from his vast collection to use on anything that needed cutting. Andy had lightning-fast reflexes; preventing many an accident before anyone else perceived a danger. Beginning with his antics as part of the HPTrollers, Andy was lucky to have many true lifelong friends. Andy was a graduate of Manchester High School, and spent most of his working life in various positions at Pratt & Whitney. Andy met his wife, Daria Strafach Doll, when he knocked on the wrong door when he was only 17. They were married 43 years at the time of his passing. Andrew was the father of two children who he loved more than anything, his daughter Eva Doll and son Walter Doll, both of Columbia, Connecticut. Andy also was more than just a grandfather to Eva’s son, his namesake, Andrew Doll-Wright. In addition to his wife, children, and grandchild, Andy is survived by his five siblings and their spouses, Jeffrey and his wife Dale of Manchester, CT; David and his wife Jill of Tuscon, AZ; Daniel and his wife Dorothy of Hebron, CT; Linda Cluxton and her husband Erich of Asheville, NC; and Mary Ellen Casey and her husband John of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Andrew was predeceased by his parents Walter Doll, Sr. and Mary Conrad Doll of Quonochontaug, RI. Andy also leaves behind a massive extended family, whose members are both by blood and by choice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his grandson Andrew Doll-Wright’s College fund, account number 3916561164 at Wells Fargo Bank.

A memorial service for Andrew will be held on Saturday, July 23rd from 10:00 to 12:00 noon at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.