Andrew J. Liddle

Andy was born on November 6, 1940 in Margaretville Hospital, the son of Thomas and Mary (Haynes) Liddle. He was raised on the Tremperskill road in Andes and graduated from Andes Central School.

After high school, Andy went on to attend and graduate from Syracuse University’s NYS College of Forestry and Ranger School in 1960. Holding the position of Chief Forester for the H.B. Webb Lumber Company for 2 years, he then enrolled in the NYS Police Academy where he was a member of their first Aviation Unit, flying fixed wing and helicopter aircraft. He remained with the NYS Police as a Technical Sergeant until 1969 when he was hired by Combustion Engineering as an Executive Pilot, flying corporate executives nationally and internationally. In 1971, calling on his experience with the State Police, Andy became involved in investigating the Attica Prison Riots where he was appointed as an Inspector by NY State, supervising 60 investigators charged with investigating the riot and presenting the findings to the Governor’s Office. He later co-authored a book on the Attica Prison Riots. In the mid-seventies he was tasked with investigating and restructuring the Oneonta City Police Department as a Private Investigator, also working with the Public Safety Department in Endicott at that time through a similar referral from the NYS Organized Crime Task Force. Similarly, through his ties with attorneys and municipalities in NY he worked as a paralegal for the Konstanty Law Firm in the late seventies through the early nineties. In 1978 he accepted the position of Director of Purchasing, Personnel, Security and Safety at Hartwick College. The position encompassed a wide range of duties on campus, managing budgets and preparing reports. Andy remained at Hartwick until 1989 when he returned to his aircraft roots in a management position for Flight Services Group in Norwich as Vice President and Director of Operations. Retiring 10 years later in 1989, Andy found himself leaving the Norwich Airport in 1993, moving to the State of NY Office of the Inspector General as a Deputy Inspector, becoming Assistant Commissioner for Public Protection in 1996 for the Department of Environmental Conservation, and finally as Special Assistant for State Senator James L. Seward. After retirement, he was very active as a Lt. Col in the Civil Air Patrol.

Andy lived a very full life, achieving many accomplishments. He loved his family, his dog and cat companions, and his many friends. When he wasn’t active in work duties, he enjoyed hunting, boating, and participating in many fraternal organizations such as the American Legion, the NRA, the Oneonta Elks Lodge, NYS Rifle and Pistol Association, Oneonta Sportsmen’s Club and the Oneonta Masons. He lived several lifetimes in one. He had a prodigious memory, a lively sense of humor, and a big personality.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years Hon. Karen M. Liddle of Oneonta; his son, Thomas Liddle of Otego; his daughter, Brenda Scofield of Ft. Collins, CO; his grandchildren, Wyatt, Georgia, and Adelle; and his sister, Shirley Liddle of Willow Grove, PA.

Friends are invited to greet the family on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand St, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Burial will take place at the convenience of the family in the spring at Andes Cemetery, Andes.

The family would like to thank Andy’s many friends for their understanding of his difficulties after his brain tumor surgery and his many complicated health issues. He fought a long 20-year battle few would survive. We pray he is at peace and in a better place.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Andy’s memory may be made to the Susquehanna Animal Shelter, 4841 NY-28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Condolences to the family may be made online at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta.