Mr. Andrew A. Venable, Jr.

Andrew A. Venable, Jr. Nov. 11, 1944 – May 5, 2016 Andrew A. Venable, Jr. transitioned from this life Thursday, May 5, 2016, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC after a short hospital stay. He was the son of the late Catherine and Andrew Venable, Sr. of Staunton, VA. He was a beloved man who touched people’s hearts in ways that bettered everyone who came in contact with him. Andy was born November 11, 1944 in Staunton, VA. He grew up in a loving household with his parents and three younger brothers, Warren (Dennis), Ken, and Don. Their childhood was filled with laughter, skinned knees, boyish pranks and long church-going Sundays. His grandmother, who worked as a maid, provided clarinet lessons for him without knowing the significant impact they would have on his life. He stayed in Staunton until the end of High School (Booker T. Washington), where his desire to excel was inspired by the dedicated teachers who motivated him to go beyond limitations set by society. In 1963, Andy's educational journey continued at Virginia State (College) University (Petersburg, VA) where he earned a degree in Business Administration in 1968. During his college days, Andy found what grew to be one of his deepest passions and a source of unending friendships. He was initiated in 1966 into Beta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at Virginia State (College) University - thereafter served in many leadership positions on campus and in his graduate chapter Delta Alpha Lambda (DAL) in Cleveland, Ohio. Being elected as President of DAL provided him the platform to establish the now 33rd Annual “Brother Andrew Venable Holiday Food Basket Project” sponsoring 200 Christmas/Holiday Food Baskets for needy families in Greater Cleveland. On April 16, 2016, Andrew received his 50-year membership pin alongside several of his original line brothers. From 1970 to 1983 he was at the Cleveland Public Library as Assistant Director of Personnel and then Head of Finance and Administrative Services. During this period, Andy earned his Master of Science Degree in Library & Information Science from Case Western Reserve University. From 1983-1988 Andy was the Director of the East Cleveland Public Library where he created a math and science lab as well as started a very successful music series. Amid this library success, Andy experienced a great family heartbreak. On September 15, 1986 Andy and his then wife Maxine, suddenly lost their son Alex during football practice, leaving their daughter Angela an only child. Not knowing how he would survive such an unnatural order of events, the next chapter of his life began in Gary, Indiana as the Director of the Gary Public Library system. After a successful branch building project using local people to do the work and giving them a sense of pride and accomplishment, he coined the phrase to describe public libraries as "The People's University.” Andy became Deputy Director of the D.C. Public Library in 1994 where he enjoyed the mecca of politics and embassy receptions. In 1997 he left D.C. to rejoin the Cleveland Public Library as Deputy Director and was quickly promoted to Director two years later. Andy's favorite contribution to the Cleveland library system was his creation of the Andrew Venable Celebration Library Chorus consisting of 40 staff members who performed free concerts for the public. The caring he poured out onto his staff and the community spurred the Ohio Library Council to name him the "Librarian of the Year for 2001." Andy was awarded the key to the city of Cleveland by Mayor Frank Jackson in 2008. After a stellar career, he was conferred in 2007 with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Cleveland State University and retired from the library at the top of his profession in 2008. Cleveland and its libraries will always be a significant part of Andy's legacy. After the passing of his father, Andy moved back to his hometown of Staunton, VA with the intent to care for his mother but began to have some personal medical challenges. Knowing he needed to be taken care of himself, he moved for the last time to Charlotte, NC where he resided at Brookdale Carriage Club close to his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. Andy, of course, joined the community chorus and was a frequent soloist at concerts and worship services. Several of the staff members nicknamed him “Trouble” for his never wavering love to joke, connect and leave a wonderful lasting impression. Preceding him in death, along with his parents, were his son, Andrew A. Venable III, and his brother, Donald R. Venable. Left to mourn his passing are his daughter, Angela (Howard) Bush; grandchildren, Jordyn, Taylor and Isaac Bush; two brothers, Kenneth (Susan) Venable of Staunton, VA and Warren (Theresa) Venable of Clinton, TN; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be sent to the Friends of the Cleveland Public Library, 325 Superior Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114. Order of services are as follows: wake at 9:00 am, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Omega service at 9:30 am, and memorial service following at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 4th at E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home 25900 Emery Road Warrensville Heights, Ohio. Interment to follow at Evergreen Memorial Park.

Mr. Andrew A. Venable, Jr.

November 11, 1944 - May 5, 2016