Andrew Anthony Lioi     July 8, 1925 -- July 25, 2025     An Italian born resident of Baltimore's Little Italy until his adulthood

It's with a sad heart that we announce the passing of Andrew Anthony Lioi into our Lord's hands.  Andrew was the devoted husband of the late Geraldine (Bonano) Lioi, beloved uncle, esteemed patriarch of the Lioi family, and highly decorated WWII U.S. Army veteran.

Born in St. Andrea, Calabria, Italy, Andrew immigrated to the U.S.at age five through Ellis Island with his mother and older sister to join his father who came to America from St. Andrea beforehand. The son of Bruno and Rosaria (Addino) Lioi, Andrew was raised in Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood and attended St. Leo's School and Church.  The Lioi family built their lives there rooted in faith, family, and hard work, running a small confectionary store on the corner of Pratt and Exeter Streets that was a neighborhood gathering place where young adults danced to music played on the jukebox. After graduating from Baltimore City College, Andrew enlisted in the Army and served in the 6th Armored Infantry Battalion of the 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides).  At age eighteen in Ansio, Italy, Andrew was gravely injured but continued to courageously fight to keep the Germans from advancing.  After three surgeries to close his wounds and being placed in a body cast for several months, he finally recovered and was sent back into combat on the front line, instead of being sent home.  For his heroism in battle, Andrew was awarded a Bronze Star for valor and Combat Infantry Badge, along with the Purple Heart.  It wasn't until his mid-eighties that he began to speak about his combat days. Around age 98, he wrote a book about his wartime experience entitled, "All Is Not Hell in War", an infantryman's narration of the glimmers of good times throughout the hell and tragedy of war.

Following his military service, Andrew returned to Baltimore and in 1947 married Geraldine Bonano with whom he shared 64 wonderful years. Then, after earning a Juris Doctorate and Master of Laws at University of Baltimore, Andrew served as Claim Counsel for State Farm Insurance Mid-Atlantic Region, retiring in 1988.  Though he and Geraldine had no children of their own they were very close to their niece, Rosann Russo, who resided nest door. He also embraced the role as a loving uncle to sixteen other nieces and nephews and their spouses, and 31 great nieces and nephews and their spouses. Years ago, he saw many of them most Sundays when he would engage them in conversations about their lives and offer them guidance, encouragement, wisdom and humor.  When greeting them, he would always reach out to shake their hands with a dollar bill concealed in his palm. For the last 30 years, he would host an extended Lioi Family Reunion in Little Italy.  At the reunion, he would have all the younger attendees reach into a large barrel of coins and take out as much as they could carry.   He resided in Hamilton and Oak Crest Senior Community for the last seventeen years.

Andrew was also deeply engaged in civic life.  He served as President of the Italian Civic Club and the Holy Name Society, held leadership positions in the Insurance Society of Baltimore, and was the trustee of the Little Italy Lodge Scholarship Fund, among other positions. He was dedicated to passing on his Italian heritage and supporting educational endeavors.  He was patriotic and appreciated the opportunity America gave him and his family.

Andrew remained mentally sharp and physically active playing tennis, pickleball, and dancing until he was age 98 and a half.  He was very principled, appreciative and positive, never complained, and always had a calm demeanor in every circumstance. He had a zeal for life.   A lifelong practitioner of the Catholic Faith, he attended St. Leo's, St. Dominic's, and the Catholic Mass at Oak Crest Chapel.  Andrew was a blessing to all who knew him.  At his 100th birthday when asked why he was such a great role model for his family, Andrew answered, "I always tried to do the best thing, not just for myself, but for others too."

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Geraldine, his parents, and his siblings Catherine Seminazzi Mancuso, Theresa Jankowski, Paul, John, and Gerard Lioi.

Friends may call at the Family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Rd. (beltway exit 26),  on Monday,  August 11th, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM.  A Funeral Mass will be held at the Oak Crest Village Chapel, on Tuesday, August 12th, at 10 AM, followed by interment with Military Honors at Gardens of Faith Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Little Italy Scholarship Fund or Wounded Warriors Project.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23