James (Harpo) Andrews, 54, Had Deep Island Roots

James (Harpo) Andrews, 54, died on Feb. 6. Harpo was the husband of Cindy Brown Andrews of Edgartown.

Harpo was a true Islander and proud of his multi-generational Island roots.

Born in Oak Bluffs on Dec. 14, 1952, Harpo was the son of Emily Searle Guisti of Edgartown and the late James Andrews of Vineyard Haven.

He graduated from Martha's Vineyard Regional High School in 1972, and remained fast friends with the tight-knit crew of buddies from his early days. His childhood nickname of "Harpo" was a tribute to Harpo Marx, and referenced his curly mane of hair, slightly graying over the years.

Harpo was married to his wife, Cindy, for more than 27 years, and was a loving father to his daughters Tabitha and Meagan and his son James, and loving grandfather to his grandchildren Lukah, Victoria and Mikayla. He absolutely adored his family.

Harpo loved to laugh, and was always there for a good practical joke. His stories were always colorful and dramatic. He made friends easily and gladly welcomed people into his life and home. His house had an open door, and countless people flowed through it, to visit or to stay for a while, and almost certainly to try Harpo's barbecue and famous potato salad. He treasured his friends and extended Island family, and was an honorary dad to so many who needed his open arms. 

Harpo enjoyed fishing, donkeys and had a life-long passion for anything with wheels. He was a former volunteer at the Edgartown Fire Department. Throughout his working years, he drove all sorts of different types of trucks, and never tired of the newest truck gadget.

He recently found his true calling as a school bus driver, which combined his love of truck driving with his other love: children. He found such happiness through all of the children who called him Popa, including his treasured grandchildren, the school children on his bus runs, and all of the children who have traveled though The Rainbow Place, the Edgartown preschool run by his wife, Cindy.

Harpo enjoyed traveling with his family, and everyone who met him could identify his favorite destination from his many tattoos. He was a huge Disney fan, and looked forward to the family vacations in Florida and beyond.

Harpo was a kind man, with a huge heart, who would do anything for anybody. He dearly loved his wife and family. He will be deeply missed.

Survivors include his wife, Cindy; his daughters, Tabitha Andrews Vieria and Meagan Andrews; his son, James Andrews of Buzzards Bay; his grandchildren, Lukah Vieira, Victoria Andrews, and Mikayla Andrews; his son in law, Fabricio Vieira; his daughter in law, Mary Andrews; his mother, Emily Searle Guisti; his brothers, Brad Andrews and David Andrews; his sisters, Cindy Maciel and Lynn Searle Strem and their families; his mother in law, Edie Brown; his sister in law, Lynne Strang, her husband Ed and son Trevor; and his beloved dog, Kain.

Visiting hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home on Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs.

A funeral mass will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at St. Elizabeth's Church in Edgartown. Interment will follow at the New Westside Cemetery, Edgartown. A party to celebrate his life will be held at the American Legion Hall in Katama following the services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Harpo Memorial Fund at The Rainbow Place, RR1 Box 698, Edgartown, MA 02539.