Andrew Barton, 52, stopped fighting a brave four-year battle with cancer on his birthday, January 24, 2018. He is survived by his wife Bess, children Megan and Jake, his sisters Cathy and Hilary, his parents Patricia and Lawrence and nephews Kyle and Sam and niece Avalyn. He was born in Ithaca, New York and came to St. Louis as an infant. His two sisters, whom he teased unmercifully as children, were very close to him and provided much support in his recent time of need. He graduated from Normandy High School in 1984 and after a brief stint at the University of Missouri, he spent three years in England with family members before returning to the U.S. with his soon-to-be wife, eventually the mother of his two children. He spent time working in the restaurant business and also the car business before his last position as Account Executive for Ally Financial. He taught us much through his unwillingness to give in to his cruel disease. Since he was diagnosed in early 2014 with Stage IV Synovial Sarcoma, he lived life to the fullest. Andrew chose to do all the things he dreamed of doing and to suck out as much of life as possible. Anyone who saw Andrew was in disbelief that he was dying from cancer. Nothing stopped him. Through seven clinical trials, some of which had very debilitating side-effects, he maintained a most positive attitude and demonstrated enormous strength of will and character. Following his initial diagnosis in which he was given a year to live, he and his daughter travelled together to England, the Caribbean, California, Mexico and Florida. He reconnected with and later married his high school prom date and love of his life, Bess Weinstock Wilfong. Together they shared life’s most beautiful experiences and a beautiful love. He joined Glen Echo Country Club, where he had worked when he was in high school, and there he made many new friends. Beyond family his real love was fishing and fortunately many of his friends shared this passion. They took fishing trips all over the country, to many places in and near the Ozarks, to Texas, to Ohio and mostly to Florida where his family has a second home. Since his diagnosis, he suffered serious side effects, but he forged through them. When he had received treatment at the wonderful Siteman Center in St. Louis, instead of going home to rest, he would play nine holes of golf. During the last several months many were unaware of the extent of his condition. In August 2017, he was assigned to home hospice. He decided he wasn’t finished living and insisted to his oncologist, Brian Van Tine, that there must be an alternative. With Dr. Van Tine’s support Andrew took himself off hospice and underwent several weeks of radiation treatment. Life had become extremely difficult for him, but he didn’t slow down. He travelled extensively in the fall of 2017, including trips to Mexico and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, he stocked his parents’ freezer in Florida with Sea Trout and Snook, and did his best to provide support to his wife Bess who was also diagnosed with cancer. His last few weeks were spent in and out of the ER, the ICU and eventually at the wonderfully supportive Evelyn’s House, where he was surrounded by family and friends. Through his participation in clinical trials his doctors tell us that the research results will be put to use in the treatment of future Sarcoma patients. Andrew left us in peace and took his last painful breaths with the comfort of knowing that all of his loved ones were going to be OK. He is and always will be the strongest fighter we know.

A celebration will be held at Glen Echo Country Club on Sunday, February 11 at 3:00pm.

Contributions in his memory may be made to The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, 1001 Highlands Plaza Dr. West, Suite 140, St. Louis, MO 63110. Indicate that the donation is to Evelyn’s House in memory of Andrew Barton.