Andrew O. “Andy” Mitchell, 65, of Rotonda West, Fla., passed away Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

He was born to Arnold and Barbara (nee Bosilevas) Mitchell, May 8, 1947, in Greenwich, Conn.

Andy spent his youth in many places, including California and Hawaii. He finally settled in Stamford, Conn., living with his grandmother, Katherine (nee Hribilijan) Bosilevas; and three uncles, James, John and Joseph.

He served in the U.S. Army as a machine gunner assigned to the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in Vietnam, during the height of the Tet Offensive. He survived that battle only to be shot four times a few weeks later. Andy spent his 21st birthday recovering in a hospital in Japan. He was Honorably Discharged and was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor for his actions on the day he was wounded. Andy also earned the Purple Heart multiple times, but reluctantly accepted only one. In 1972, he wed Terry Lee (nee Yezzi) Mitchell. He was employed by Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich, and was awarded the STAR Award from corporate Mercedes-Benz for his excellence as a technician/mechanic. After moving to Rotonda West in 1976, he worked as a mechanic at the Mercedes-Benz dealership in Sarasota, Fla. Soon he would open his own auto shop in Englewood, Fla., specializing in Mercedes-Benz.

Andy is survived by his wife, Terry; their four children, Andrew Jr., Ben, Catherine and Dani; and six grandchildren, Alyssa, Aryelle, Andrew III, Abella, Annabel and Hannah. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Katherine; and his three uncles, James, John and Joseph.

A memorial Mass with military honors will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grove City, Fla. Inurnment will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Fisher House, c/o Rena Graves, P.O. Box 5005, Bay Pines, FL 33744. You may express your condolences to the family at www.lemonbayfh.com.

Arrangements are by Lemon Bay Funeral Home.