It is with sadness that we report the sudden passing of Frank Andrews, former Pipe Major of MacNeilstown Pipe Band in Northern Ireland.
Frank died suddenly at home last night after collapsing. As drone tuner in chief for Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band he was an integral part of Richard Parkes’s championship winning team.
Frank will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He is pictured in the above photograph of FMM front row seated second from the right.
P/M Richard Parkes paid this heartfelt tribute to Frank: ‘The band were deeply saddened to hear of Frank’s passing this morning. He was the true definition of a gentleman and a legend in our art.
‘Frank was a huge part of the FMM family and was loved by us all. Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.’
I first met Frank Andrews for the first time on the football field in ’69, in a match featuring Portglenone v Tamlaght United. Believe me he was a talented, if forceful, centre forward. Amazingly both of us survived that game to become firm friends.
In the years followin I played with Frank in his McNeillstown Pipe Band and also benefited greatly from his musical ability, advice and support when developing the Monkstown Mossley Pipe Band.
Perhaps, even more significantly through the past eighteen years, his work with PM Richard Parkes and the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band Frank’s gift of perfect pitch became apparent to the rest of the piping world.
Frank, the person was a true gentleman and friend whose modesty and quiet reassuring manner was a model to all. A privilege indeed to have journeyed with you Frank. Sally and all the family know that you are in my prayers now and will remain so in the days to come.
That’s so very sad to hear.
Frank was not only a gentleman, he was a true gentle man.
I’ve known him for over 40 years and he always had a great smile and a hello for me and everyone he met.
Don Shannon. Ex. Syerla, now USA.