J. Andrew "Andy" Woodruff

J. Andrew “Andy” or “Andrew” Woodruff, 55, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away on February 2, 2023. Andy was born on May 26, 1967, to James B. Woodruff and Candace (nee Malone) in Kalamazoo. After graduating from Salisbury School in Connecticut, he went on to earn an English Literature degree from University of Colorado, Boulder, in 1992.

Andy worked for his father and with his brother at E. M. Sergeant in Kalamazoo for several years. A need for adventure led Andy to leave Kalamazoo on a worldwide tour that ended in Denver, Colorado, where he began as a real estate agent and eventually started Woodruff Property Management. Andy sold his business in 2021 and started his next adventure.

Andy had a passion for life, travel, and new experiences. His creative mind and insatiable curiosity led him to take advantage of every opportunity and visit new parts of the world. He said yes to every experience he could. In recent years, he found his calling on the water, earning his Captain’s license and Dive Master certification. Andy was a voracious reader and student who never liked to sit still (unless he was reading a great book), and his Captain’s license enabled him to satisfy his keen sense of adventure by moving boats from port to port in the fall and spring, and working as a ship’s captain at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven in the summers.

Andy had a worldwide network of friends and family who he loved and cherished. He had a heart of gold and was unabashedly open and caring. Those lucky enough to be close to him will always remember his laugh and the twinkle of mischief in his eyes, as well as his enormous capacity for love and support. He was always there when needed and was unconditionally giving.

Left with a lifetime of memories and colorful stories are his mother and step-father, Candy and Mark Porath; father and step-mother, Jim and Maggie Woodruff; brother, Peter (Amanda) Woodruff; stepsiblings Emily (Casey) Blair, and John Hotop; niece and nephews, Ian Woodruff, Grace and Rocco Anglin; along with his aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his stepbrother Mark Hotop.

Cremation has taken place. A visitation and brief service will be held on Thursday, February 16, from 3:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon at Langeland Family Funeral Home, 622 S. Burdick, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 and a celebration of life will be held later this spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Michigan Maritime Museum, 260 Dyckman Ave, South Haven, MI 49090 (michiganmeritimemueseum.org) or to Gift of Life, 3861 Research Park Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48108 (giftoflifemichigan.org). To view Andy’s personalized webpage please visit https://www.langelands.com