MAPLEWOOD- Andrew Tarbay, age 94, passed away on July 2, 2017. Son of the late Jacob & Afia Dzemba Tarbay, he was born on May 31, 1923, in Pittsburgh, PA and lived in Maplewood since he was 3. Andrew graduated from Maplewood School and Watervliet High School.

He enlisted in the US Navy shortly after Pearl Harbor and was honorably discharged in 1945. While in the Navy, he served as a Plane Captain with Carrier Aircraft Service Unit #31. He earned the Victory Medal, American Theatre Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was attending Penn State in the Officers Training Program when the war ended. Andrew graduated from Siena College in 1950 where he received his Masters Degree in Education.

He worked for 10 years at Allegheny Ludlum as a quality control supervisor, and later became a counselor at Coxsackie Reformatory for 6 years. He then, most famously, taught 7th and 8th grade Social Studies and English at Maplewood School for 24 years. After retirement, he and his wife enjoyed spending winters in Florida and North Carolina.

Andrew was a lifelong NY Yankees baseball and NY Giants football fan. He was a charter member of the Maplewood American Legion Post #1615 where he held many positions including 20 years as Finance Officer and Membership Chairman. Andrew was a dedicated lifelong parishioner of St. Basil’s Russian Orthodox Church where he taught Sunday School, was a member of the “R” Club and SOYUZ, served on the parish counsel for 56 years and was chairman of St. Basil’s Cemetery for 50 years.

Andrew was predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Julia Jupin Tarbay who died in 2010. He was also predeceased by his brothers Paul, John, Anthony and Peter, all who served in the military and his sisters Rose and Anne. He was the dear father (and best father-in-law in the world) of Paul (late Diane), Andrew, Jr., and Joseph (Kathryn). Cherished grandfather (Ge Ge) of Tina (Jared), Valerie (Daniel), Roman and Clarice. Great-grandfather to Brianna, Alexis, Gabriel, Addison and Danielle. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and dear friends. The family would like to thank Dr. Arsenio Agopovich for his over 50 years of excellent care.

The funeral will be Friday at 9:15 am from the Parker Bros Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet, and at 10 am at St. Basil’s Russian Orthodox Church Church, Maplewood where the Divine Liturgy will be offered by Archpriest Peter Olsen. Interment will follow at St. Basil’s Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Thursday from 4-7 pm, with the Panakhida service at 6:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Andrew to the St. Basil’s Church Cemetery Fund, 6 Lansing Ave., Watervliet, NY 12189.

Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.

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