DOVER-FOXCROFT – Gordon Andrews, a man who dedicated his life to his family and community, died Sunday.

Andrews, 87, was serving his first year of a four-year term as Piscataquis County commissioner, having been repeatedly elected to the seat since 1985. He also served on a host of other agencies and organizations.

It is expected that Gov. Angus King will appoint someone to fill the county position until the next general election in 2002.

Andrews, a graduate of Guilford High School, leaves his wife, Wilma (Gray) Andrews, and three daughters, Gail Snodgrass of Woodsfield, Ohio; Joyce Crawford of Clermont, Fla.; and Carol Harvey of Dover-Foxcroft.

It was after his retirement from dairy farming for many years in Dover-Foxcroft that he extended his time to help in county and local affairs.

Gordon’s passing was noted Monday during a meeting of the Maine Rural Development Council at the Statehouse.

Rep. Sharon Libby-Jones, D-Greenville, said that Dennis Damon, a Hancock County commissioner and chairman of the council, said Andrews helped to streamline the state’s unemployment system.

“He was right out there in front realizing the importance of economic development for our county,” Jones said. “He was such a diverse man.”

Piscataquis County Commission Chairman Eben DeWitt of Milo said Monday that Andrews will certainly be “sorely missed” by the commissioners and the rest of the county employees.

“He certainly has been the backbone of the county commissioners for the past 17 years,” he noted.

DeWitt said that Andrews had served as the county director for the Maine Municipal Association of which he was a past president. He also served as the county’s liaison on the Penquis Community Action Program Board of Directors.

Commissioner Woodrouffe “Tony” Bartley of Greenville, who served on the board with Andrews, said that he had always looked up to Andrews and respected his opinions.

“He’s going to be a big void to fill,” Piscataquis County Clerk Carolyn Doore said. Doore described Andrews as a very quiet person who thought a great deal before rendering decisions. “He’s going to be missed,” she said.

Piscataquis County Sheriff John Goggin called Andrews a man of high morals and integrity.

“He always looked out for the well-being of taxpayers,” he said. The sheriff, too, said Andrews will be missed a great deal by his family and the many organizations he served.

Cathie Goodine, deputy clerk for the county, said Monday that Andrews was so humble even with the prestigious offices he held.

“He’s been such a fatherly image for many of us here; he’d come in and give you a hug, he was so personable,” she said.

The Dover-Foxcroft man not only served his county, but his town as well.

He was a former selectman who served on several town committees, was a longtime member of the Kiwanis Club, the Congregational church, Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District, Piscataquis Extension, the Republican Party, 4-H and the Piscataquis Valley Fair Association.

He also was a veteran who was proud of his service in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Battle of the Bulge.

“He was just a community-minded person, and he cared about the people,” Dover-Foxcroft Town Manager Owen Pratt said. “He was a progressive thinker; he liked new ideas even as he got older.”

Visiting hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Lary Funeral Home in Dover-Foxcroft. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church.