Andrew P. Bettick

Andrew Philip Bettick, age 98, of Bath, passed away on August 11, 2025.

Andy was born May 1, 1927, the youngest of eleven children in Woodford, Virginia, a farming community, now incorporated into the military base of Fort A.P. Hill, Virigina. He attended Spotsylvania High School, dropping out his senior year to join the U.S. Navy during World War II. After serving his time in the Navy, Andy completed his high school work and then attended Georgia Tech, graduating in 1952 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

During a summer internship at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Andy met Jackie Jones of Springfield, Ohio and in November 1954 they married, a happy union of 65 years.

Work with B.F. Goodrich took them to Troy, Ohio; Brea, California and finally to Akron, Ohio, where they settled, built a home in Bath, and lived for fifty-six years.

The Betticks had an adopted son, Tommy, and they also shouldered the responsibility of accepting the guardianship of one of Jackie’s International Institute pupils, Vong Doan from Vietnam. Both sons enriched their lives immensely.

Blessed with a great sense of humor, Andy loved to tell a slightly off-color story, simply to get a reaction from Jackie – which was usually more entertaining than the story itself.

Andy was an avid gardener of both flowers and vegetables. Through the years of gardening, Andy donated over four thousand (4,000) pounds of produce to the Akron-Canton Food Bank. Assisting with the many yard and garden chores was a big green and tallow tractor that was treated like a family member and served faithfully for many years. Andy was a member of the Akron Men’s Garden Club, served as its president, and five times, received the Marsh-Greenland Award for the most blue ribbons.

After the yearly growing season was over, Andy and Jackie turned to travel, visiting many countries around the world.

Andy attended St. Hilary Catholic Church since 1963 and had been an usher since 1986.

Andy is survived by son, Vong Doan, from Vietnam, daughter-in-law Binh; and grandchildren, Sarah and Andy; sister Margaret; three nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law, Judy Ratcliffe of Jacksonville, FL.

Visitation will take place FRIDAY, August 22, 2025, from 4-7 PM at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Fairlawn, OH 44333. Mass of Christian Burial will take place SATURDAY, August 23 at 11:00 AM at St. Hilary Catholic Church, 2750 West Market St. Fairlawn, OH 44333. Burial will take place at Moore’s Chapel Cemetery, N. Hametown Rd., following mass, at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Hilary Catholic Church, to the Akron-Canton Food Bank, 350 Opportunity Parkway, Akron, OH 44207 or to a charity of your choice.

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Fairlawn, OH 44333.