Obituary of Andy Trechock

Andy Trechock, 94, of Glassboro, NJ passed away February 22, 2021. Andy was born in 1926 in Elkhorn, West Virginia in a coal mining town and was the eldest son of Russian immigrants. Andy grew up mostly in Atlantic City, New Jersey, but spent part of his childhood on his grandfather's farm in Bethel, Ohio as well. He was a World War II veteran who enlisted in the US Army in 1944, where he trained as an Infantry Rifleman and served in the European Theater of Operations before being honorably discharged in 1946. After attending and graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Andy moved to Atlanta, Georgia and started his own lithography business. One of the items that this business consumed were photographic development chemicals supplied in a light weight plastic container. Andy must have thought to himself "What can one do with these empty containers?" Soon thereafter the Teco Container was born. Lite weight, rugged, water proof and versatile, examples of this container are still in service to this day. Being an avid fisherman (Lord knows many a flounder met their demise around Atlantic City) and accomplished water skier, he purchased a cabin on Lake Lanier to enjoy on the weekends. His cabin was frequently filled with siblings, their spouses, nieces and nephews. He taught all the family children how to water ski, fish, and boat. Andy's interests included building and flying model planes in his early years. In 1948 Andy won a 1st place trophy for stunts flying one of his model planes. This was something he would do later in life, much to the enjoyment of his nieces and nephews. Additionally, gardening was a passion he followed throughout his entire life. Andy grew wonderful vegetables everywhere he lived and shared his crops with family, neighbors, and friends. In addition to gardening, while in Georgia, Andy took to the game of golf wondering the courses of Georgia and dreaming of his day in the Masters at Augusta. In short, if it was broken, Andy could fix it. If it was a plant, he could grow it. If there was fun needed to be had, Andy was ready to be part of it, entertaining nieces and nephews with a good round of Hop, Skip and a Jump on the Atlantic City beach, as well as ice skating either on a frozen lake or rink, or sledding when opportunities presented themselves. Who is brave enough to stand by the tether ball court or step up to the horse shoe pits or swimming pool? Stay clear of the Ping Pong table, as this skill was honed overseas during WWII. Cards weren't ever out of the question, including five card stud and twenty-one. If you weren't much for cards, you could always try your hand at dominoes and see if you could stay out of the bone yard. And don't forget Six Flags over Georgia where no roller coaster was out of the question. Much of these activities thankfully were documented on family home movies, which Andy later re-recorded while providing background vocals, using, as he liked to call it, "his whiskey tenor". Having been adorned with the moniker of favorite Uncle is a tough role to hold, but Andy made it seem effortless. Loving his parents as he did, Andy purchased them a brand new home in Ventnor, NJ. When they became unable to care for themselves any longer, he sold his business in Georgia and moved back to New Jersey to become their caregiver. When he could no longer care for himself he moved in with his brother Mike in Glassboro where they spent their days watching Westerns, hollering at the television, and bickering amongst themselves. Mike explaining to Andy time and time again, "the bad guy is in the black hat, and the good guy is in the white hat!" To which Andy would reply "Whatever you say Mike." After Mike's passing, Andy carried on in his brothers home per Mike's wishes with a group of dedicated care givers who saw to Andy's every need. For their attention and caring, Andy's family will be forever grateful. Some of Andy's favorite sayings included: "Terrible situation." "I don't know about that." "Do what you think is best." "Don't ask me anything, I don't know nothin'." "My mind ain't worth a toot." "Ohh this is ugly, ugly, ugly." "Wrap it up." And "Shche zhiviy." which means still alive in his parents' native language, Ukrainian. Still alive he will always be, especially when family gathers at his Georgia property, where all will recall the fun times and memories he gave them. Andy was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Trechock and Anna (nee Ninichuck), and brothers Mike and Jack. Andy is survived by his sister Olga Pleasants, 8 nieces and 2 nephews, 7 great nieces, 9 great nephews, 7 great great nieces, 7 great great nephews, and 1 great great great nephew.