Obituary of Andre Hartzell

Andre Mehl Hartzell, 82, of St. Augustine, FL, and Poughkeepsie, NY, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2013. He was born in Chalon sur Marne, France, on August 16, 1931. He attended military prep school in Ft. Washington, NY. Andre was Sargeant First Class in the US Army 187 Airborne Regimental Combat Team & 5th Regimental Combat Team, 1951-1952. He served honorably in the U.S. Army in the Korean War. He was the recipient of three Purple Hearts. He married his beloved wife, Martha Jane Sepe, on July 25, 1954, who preceded him in death on February 7, 2010. Following his military service Andre was employed by IBM in Poughkeepsie as a manufacturing manager in QCM until he retired in 1987. He was a life member of American Legion Post #1302 and the VFW #170 in Poughkeepsie, NY. He was also a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Combat Infantryman's Association. Andre also served many years in the Honor Guard. He loved his church and served on the Vestry at both St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Pleasant Valley, New York as well as St. Andrew's Episcopal Church of Poughkeepsie. He served as a firefighter and a member of the rescue squad with the LaGrange Firehouse #3. Andre and Martha resided in Poughkeepsie and Essex Junction, VT, before retiring to Florida in late 2003. Andre was predeceased by his parents Arthur Edmond Hartzell and Pauline Jeanne Mehl Hartzell. Andre is survived by his four loving daughters - Patricia Courtois and husband Roger of Sarasota, FL, Cynthia Magnani and husband Geoffrey of Oxford, NY, Ann Seils and husband Robert of Salt Point, NY, and Nancy Boyce and husband Dickie of St. Augustine, FL. He leaves behind nine beautiful grandchildren and a great grandson: Nicole Courtois McCoy, husband Chad and son Davis of Charlotte, NC; Bradford Magnani and wife Heather of McKinney, TX; Heather Boyce Hollan and husband Wesley of Sebring, FL; Seth Magnani and wife Meagan of St. Augustine, FL; Drew Seils of Middletown, CT; Jonathan Courtois of Winter Park, FL; Ashley Boyce Patterson and husband Mike of Valdosta, GA; Matthew Magnani of Colts Neck, NJ; and Michael Seils of Salt Point, NY. He was a loving Grandpa was especially proud of all his grandchildren and his new great grandson. He will be dearly missed by them all. To our loving father and grandfather, "Everyday we will remember your love & compassion, your generosity and dedication to your family, your community and your country, and your unwavering strength and resolve. You have truly been our hero. We will always love you and keep you in our hearts." Friends and family are invited to calling hours at the Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY on Thursday, November 7th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Traver Road, Pleasant Valley, NY on Friday, November 8 2013 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, family and friends may remember Andre with a gift to the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org.