Andrew Darren Lymburner, 50

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FRAMINGHAM – Andrew Darren Lymburner passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at the age of 50, due to a heart attack. 

He was born on July 28, 1969 to Brenda Sue (French) and Sheridan Earl Lymburner in Bangor, ME.   Growing up in Orland, ME with his sister, Louella, he embodied the values of prioritizing your family, helping your neighbor (and your neighbor’s neighbor), having a strong work ethic, and appreciating nature and the outdoors. 

Andy graduated from Bucksport High School in 1987 and earned a BS in Survey Engineering from the University of Maine, Orono in 1991. 

Andy moved to Marlborough, Massachusetts in 1992 to work doing surveying and mapping of sewers.  In 1993, he began working at Intelligent Infrastructure Technologies, Inc (IIT) as a Project Manager, using what was then new technology in automated mapping and geographic information systems.  

Andy’s aptitude for and interest in technology was readily apparent, and he changed jobs to work at Babson College in 1997 as a Systems Analyst.  He remained at Babson in various roles before becoming the IT Enterprise Architect and Information Security Officer, a position he held at the time of his death. 

In 1996, Andy met Susan Brostrup-Jensen through mutual friends, and they were married on Cannon Mountain on August 12, 2000. 

They lived in Northbridge, for 9 years, before moving to Ashland, in July 2009.  They had three beautiful children, a son–Benjamin Sheridan (2002)–and twin daughters–Katherine Linda and Margaret Gray (2006) and many pets.  

But these facts by themselves do not tell you much about the person Andy was or what he meant to the many people whose lives overlapped with his own.  Andy was fully engaged in his life and gave freely of himself to those in it.  Andy knew who he was, so he was always open to what the world offered to draw upon, whether it was new information, a different perspective, or a new experience.  He sought it out and gathered it in.  Uncomfortable with not having the answers himself, Andy would always take the time to research a question, issue, or project and assimilate what he learned into a path forward.  He welcomed true discussion and debate–about things as big as political and world issues or problem-solving something for work and as mundane as a good beer or a current movie.  He believed opinions should be backed by not just lived experience or sound bytes, but by research into the nuances and facts such that your perspective became a shared one, or at least one that recognized the value of different, yet similarly thoughtful, perspectives. 

Another of Andy’s greatest strengths was his ability to not take himself too seriously and to see the humor in his own foibles.  While he held himself to a standard of doing the best he could at all times and in all things, he also knew this did not equate to being perfect.  So, when he fell short of the mark, when he made a mistake, when he miss-hit the ball, he could own it and either apologize, if warranted, or shake his head, find a way to laugh at himself, and move on.  Similarly, he had the ability to help others find humor in and let go of those moments for themselves as well. 

Consequently, Andy put people at ease and could diffuse most conflicts.  He brought these strengths into all areas of his life–whether it be a meeting at work, a Facebook thread, an Ashland Youth Baseball and Softball Board meeting, a sometimes heated sideline debate on the soccer field, or a dilemma at home.  On those rare occasions that the issue was too personal for him to live up to these values in the moment, he always continued to work it around after and then returned to the conversation a few minutes or a few days later to build a collaborative resolution.   Of course, he also did occasionally struggle with an urge to relentlessly “poke the bear” when he felt someone was being stubbornly unfair, close-minded, or knee-jerk in their response.  Fairness was one of the central values by which he lived.

While Andy was able to relate to almost anyone in any situation, he was truly gifted when it came to building relationships with children.  He was beloved “Uncle Andy” to all his nieces and nephews and a mentor and role model to many of his younger cousins.  He was always ready to act silly, rough-house, share a success or support a challenge, play a game, go on an adventure, or offer sound advice.   As a soccer and softball coach, he instilled good sportsmanship, provided skill development, encouraged bravery under pressure, developed self-confidence, and most importantly, promoted a love of the sport through making it fun.   He was truly in his element when he was with children. 

There was no other relationship more important to him than those with his own children.  He loved being a Dad.  He often spoke about the importance his own father had in his life, and he worked hard to live up to that role model.  He organized his professional and personal life to be available for them from the moment they were born.   He supported them in their interests: coaching soccer and softball, attending Girl Scout events, cheering from the sidelines and helping to process the game after, encouraging perseverance through injuries, helping with homework, researching opportunities for growth, looking at colleges, and more.   He showed them the love of the outdoors, whether going for a local hike, spending time in the White Mountains, or unplugging at the family camp in Maine.  He passed on to them the guiding values and principles of his moral compass.  He wanted nothing more than for them to know who they are, to be confident of their own strengths, to be fair and socially conscious, and to be the best people they can be. 

Andy’s sense of humor, willingness to engage fully, generous spirit, open heart, and commitment to family were but a few of the qualities that made him a rare and treasured life partner for Sue.  Both knew that they had found someone special by the end of their first date and never looked back.  Many hours were spent sharing and planning as they forged a life together and expanded their family and caretaking responsibilities–first with two high needs dogs (and cats), then with three children (and many more pets), and finally with Sue’s elderly father.  Even when demands were highest and time was tight, Andy was always there as a calming source of strength, never wavering in his commitment to Sue and to family.  Andy gave of himself liberally, freely, and unselfishly, and he was loved deeply.

Andy drew his energy from the relationships in his life, whether family, close friends, colleagues, parents of a teammate of one of his kids, or the clerk at the store.   He was honest, hard-working, dedicated, genuine, socially conscious, quick to smile, smart, and accepting of others.  He loved baseball and softball, reading (or listening) to a good book, good food and even better beer, learning something new, following politics and the news, watching soccer games, trying new things, working with his hands, animals, and finding humor in the world.  He brought his full self into all that he did, and he will be sorely missed.  

 Andy leaves behind his wife and kids (Susan Brostrup-Jensen, Ben, Katie, and Maggie Lymburner-Jensen, Ashland, MA); mother (Brenda Sue Lymburner, Orland, ME); sister, brother-in-law, and children (Louella, Art, Tabi, and Conner Grindle, Fairfield, ME); his brother-by-choice, wife, and children (Brendan, Tiffany, Gaby, and Maddi Harvey, Collierville, TN); his brother-in-law, wife, and children  (Chris Brostrup-Jensen and Nancy, Jake, and Brian Wolf-Jensen, Foster, RI); his sister-in-law (Anne Marie Brostrup-Jensen, Marlborough, MA); and many aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family, beloved friends, and colleagues.

  Due to the current health regulations, Andy’s family and friends will honor and remember him at a later date.

   In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Andy’s name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.pancan.org, or a contribution to The Lymburner-Jensen Family Go Fund Me account, www.gofundme.com/f/lymburnerjensen-family,  established on behalf of his family. 

Arrangements by the McCarthy, MCKinney & Lawler Funeral Home of Framingham. For online tributes, or to share a memory with Andy’s family, kindly visit www.mccarthyfh.com.