Andrew Huyler Ramsey

Andrew Huyler Ramsey, age 22, of Weston, MA, died July 25, 2017, in Dublin, Ireland. Born March 12, 1995 in Boston, MA, Andrew was the son of Peter R. Ramsey and Isabel B. Phillips, residents of Weston.

He had just completed an exhilarating summer program abroad at the Gaiety School of Acting-National Theater School of Ireland, where he studied "Acting Through the Eyes of the Irish Playwrights." Just a day before his was scheduled to fly back home to Boston, Andrew suffered a grand mal seizure followed by major head trauma which led to his death. Despite these unthinkable circumstances, Andrew had just told his parents that Ireland had treated him to the best summer of his young life. He had already planned to return to Ireland to pursue his master's degree.

Andrew's short but very full life was filled with medical challenges from birth: dozens of ambulance rides in the middle of the night to the ER for anaphylaxis, multiple intubations and helicopter med-flights to ICU, and then as a teen, a new diagnosis of epilepsy. Despite these obstacles, Andrew was fearless in living a life of artistic risk, and never used any of them as excuses. He plowed forward with stunning resilience and amazing success.

A rising senior at the University of Cincinnati College- Conservatory of Music (CCM), Andrew had been on the Dean's List every semester of his studies. He was a gifted actor and writer with an edgy wit and engaging personality. His stage presence, loyalty and work ethic were unmatched, as his classmates, teachers, coaches, fellow actors and artists lovingly recall. Richard Hess, Head of the Acting Department at CCM, wrote: Andrew always made me laugh and I loved watching him grow as a person and artist. He lived big, he approached life big, and he brought a big heart to every moment. He could be deeply sensitive, despite his love of a good argument. He could be incredibly awkward one moment, and then elegant the next. He was always thoughtful." And he loved doing side-splitting imitations of Donald Trump (See Youtube: "Andrew Ramsey Interview with Donald J. Trump").

Andrew graduated in 2014 from the Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, MA, a conservatory high school where he passionately pursued preparation for theater for two-and-a-half years. Prior to Walnut Hill, Andrew attended Phillips Academy in Andover, MA. During grades 6-8 in the Weston Middle School, Andrew eagerly participated in theater productions each school term.

At an early age, Andrew displayed a powerful interest in storytelling and imaginative play acting. After one particular rehearsal as a third grader playing the role of the Artful Dodger in Oliver!, Andrew told his Dad: "I love my theater life!" For a number of summers, he participated in shows offered by Merrimack Junior Theater, the North Shore Music Theater, and Weston Drama Workshop.

And he adored his theater "family." Andrew Huyler Ramsey is survived by his parents, Peter R. Ramsey, and Isabel B. Phillips of Weston, MA, grandmother, Winnie M. Phillips, of Due West, SC, stepbrother, Stephen J. Freeman of Voorheesville, NY, uncle, Christopher V. Ramsey, of Albany, NY, uncle, David G. Phillips V of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and three cousins, Mary Elizabeth Phillips, Isabel G. Phillips and D. Gardiner Phillips VI, also of Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Andrew's family will welcome friends from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, August 25th at the Columbia Marriott, located at 1200 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC. They ask only for your presence to share memories of Andrew. The following day, August 26, 2017, all are invited to attend the graveside burial service at 11 a.m. in the cemetery of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Due West, SC.

On Saturday, September 30, 2017, a memorial service for Andrew will be held at 5:30 p.m. in St. John's Chapel on the campus of Groton School in Groton, MA. On Thanksgiving weekend (Saturday, November 25, 2017, at 4 p.m.), all are invited to attend a Celebration of Andrew's Life at the Weston Community Center, Weston, MA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting one of the following organizations: University of Cincinnati-College-Conservatory of Music (Acting Program), 290 45221 CCM Boulevard, Cincinnati, OH 45219 ccm.weshareonline.org; Walnut Hill School for the Arts, 12 Highland Street, Natick, MA 01760 www.walnuthillarts.org; Weston Drama Workshop www.westondramaworkshop.org.

Visitation

Columbia Marriott
1200 Hampton Street
Columbia, SC  29201
Friday, August 25, 2017
4:00 - 8:00 PM

Service

St. John's Chapel Groton School
282 Farmers Row
Groton, MA  01450
Saturday, September 30, 2017
5:30 PM


Weston Community Center
20 Alphabet Street
Weston, MA  02493
Saturday, November 25, 2017
4:00 PM


Due West ARP Church Cemetery
112 North Main Street
Due West, SC  29639
Saturday, August 26, 2017
11:00 AM

Interment

Due West ARP Church Cemetery
112 North Main Street
Due West ,  SC  29639

Memorial Contributions

University of Cincinnati-College-Conservatory Music (Acting Program)
290 45221 CCM Boulevard
Cincinnati, OH 45219 Walnut Hill School for the Arts
12 Highland Street
Natick, MA 01760 Weston Drama Workshop
235 Wellesley Street
Weston, MA 02493