Andrew “Andy” Sherrard Ressel of Venice, FL, formerly of Martinsville, VA, died on Saturday, June 12, 2021; he was 61. He was born on March 22, 1960, in Murphy, NC, to Ronald Alexander Ressel and the late Mary Bates Ressel.

Andy was a thoughtful person, with great listening skills, and a high capacity for remembering details. He could entertain with great tales and pictures of his travels. Andy traveled to many parts of the world, loved to sail, scuba dive with sharks, and was always ready to lend a hand.

Graduating in 1978 from Martinsville High School, Andy then earned a BS degree in Business from  the University of Richmond. He worked his way through school working for Bakers Shoe Company as a manager. He switched careers to become a top salesman for Summit Travel where his task was to make sure hundreds of sales award winners of various companies were treated to the upmost care on cruises and  special destinations. This type of work gained him access to being invited to many exotic places around the world. He parlayed this into writing reviews for travel magazines of these vacation spots.

Andy enjoyed living large until it caught up with him in 2010. Having to change his lifestyle, he worked with many different groups of sobrieties. Andy was a manager and wrote for grants as well as raised money for halfway houses and then began counseling.

Learning was important to Andy and after graduate work in business when he lived in Ft Lauderdale, he continued to study psychology. This helped him as a counselor with Lifeworks Substance Abuse Services, LLC, of Port Charlotte, helping many overcome their addictions and pain.

As a side gig, Andy became the go-to person to detail boats in Emerald Pointe, Punta Gorda. A perfectionist he could make an old boat shine like “new”; he did superb work and charged accordingly. His high price would cause sticker shock, but the proud owner of the “new” boat would recommend him to their friends. Andy was always in demand.

Andy is survived by his love and partner Diane McGuire of Venice; his father Ronald Alexander Ressel (Janie) Punta Gorda, FL; sisters: Kathryn Seagle (Brent) Gainesville, FL, Christine Green (Ron) Punta Gorda, FL, and Mary Jane Hains (Allen Young) Jacksonville, FL; brothers: Ronald “Skip” Ressel (Maria) Smith Mountain Lake, VA, and Eric Ressel (Teresa) Punta Gorda, FL; and four nieces and one nephew.

A memorial celebration of Andy’s life will be held in Punta Gorda and Smith Mountain Lake at later dates.

http://www.farleyfuneralhome.com/obituary/andrew-ressel/