Andrew Gutekunst

Drew lived a good life for 92 years which ended peacefully on March 29, 2024.

He was born and raised on Staten Island, New York. He had a happy childhood roaming the wild parts of the island with friends and cousins. He was ten when the United States entered WWII. He raised chickens, tended the victory garden, collected scrap metal for the war effort, and followed war news closely.

He attended Dartmouth College, class of '53, and Tuck School '54 for his MBA. After graduation, he married Joan Averill, whom he met at Colby Jr. College. They were married for 67 years until she died in 2021. Drew was in the Dartmouth NROTC program and earned his Navy commission as a Lieutenant JG.  He spent two years in the Navy on a destroyer based in Newport, RI.

He started his rep firm in 1962  in the basement of his Shrewsbury home. He and Joan were also raising their three children, Tom, Ellen, and Mary. The young Gutekunst family split their time between Shrewsbury and a summer house on Lawrence Pond on Cape Cod. In 1967, they sold both houses and moved full-time to Duxbury, MA.  A little 19' Thompson motorboat and a Beetlecat sailboat entertained the family for years. Fishing, waterskiing, and sailing took place with friends most weekends. Many winter weekends were spent skiing in New Hampshire.

Drew's business thrived and grew to become Anchor Engineering, a rep firm selling electronic components throughout New England. He also started Instock Products, a distribution firm with a shop to make custom parts.  As his business grew he had offices in Wellesley, Newton Upper Falls, and eventually ended up in Westborough. Joan and his son Tom worked for the companies.

In 1975, Drew and Joan bought a 30' Tartan Sloop named the Pentad. They berthed it in North Falmouth and spent many years sailing in Buzzards Bay and the Elizabeth Islands. Drew and Joan moved back to Shrewsbury after their children left home. Meanwhile, grandchildren started to be born. They bought a wonderful camp on the shores of Norway Lake in Maine. The grandkids named it "Camp Gramp".  Summers were magical at Camp Gramp. The family delighted in canoeing, sailing, swimming, and exploring the nearby woods.

After retirement in 2004, they moved to Blueberry Cove, Yarmouth, Maine to be closer to their daughter Ellen's family in South Portland. Drew wrote many essays about his past that he loved to share.  He kept up with life-long friends and family. Joan and Drew moved to the Landing in Cape Elizabeth in 2017. They enjoyed living in Cape Elizabeth and visiting Kettle Cove, Fort Williams Park, and Pine Point. They appreciated all that was offered to them during their time at the Landing and had close relationships with residents and the fantastic staff who worked through the Covid pandemic, caring for them while they endured the seemingly endless lockdown.

Three years ago they made the move to Mooring at the Downs in Scarborough. Although Joan did not live long to experience the wonderful care and friendships that Drew was able to, it was a great place for Drew and our family.  The staff of the Mooringat the Down have the family's deepest gratitude for the love and care they gave him.

Drew was handsome, charming, smart, and funny. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Drew had three children. Tom Gutekunst of Kingston, MA died in 2018, Ellen Gutekunst of South Portland, ME and Mary DeLong of Montara, CA.  His grandchildren are Bill, Eric and Lauren Gutekunst, Victor Plourde, and Jade Fiotto.  His great-grandchildren are Felix, Lucia, Isla, Zia, Thomas, Jameson and Owen. He is also survived by his sister, Ruth Lohrer, of Palos Verdes, CA her children and grandchildren.

There will be a remembrance celebration for both Drew and Joan in South Portland in May. Please contact Ellen for details.