Anthony Dias Blue, known as Andy to those that knew him best, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, December 25th (coincidentally, also the 118th anniversary of his mother’s birth). With an unmistakeable lust for life, Andy made a successful career out of doing what most people do on vacation – eating and drinking. A legendary wine, spirits and food critic, Andy’s undeniable enthusiasm, paradoxically, often meant that the best meal or drink he had ever had also happened to be the most recent one.
Born to Gertrud and Sidney Blue on January 5, 1941 in Larchmont, New York, Andy would go on to study at Riverdale and Amherst for college. He would meet Kathryn Koshland in 1964, marrying her in 1967 and welcoming their first born, Caitlin, in 1969, followed by Toby in 1970, Jessica in 1975 and Amanda in 1978, the same year the family would move to San Francisco and Andy would embark on a love affair with wine that would come to define his legacy. He would go on to start the San Francisco Wine Competition, followed some years later by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, known to this day as the most important, respected and prestigious of their kind in the world. A lifelong NY/San Francisco Giants loyalist, he would have the opportunity to see them win 3 World Championships, along with his second love the SF 49ers, who would win 5 Super Bowls with Andy as a loyal supporter.
Never without some music playing somewhere in the background, Andy’s tastes ranged from Earth Wind & Fire to Luther Vandross to his ride or die Steely Dan, a love he passed down to his children and their children as an essential, if not indispensable, expression of art and emotion.
An inveterate traveler, Andy was excitedly welcomed into the best wineries, distilleries and restaurants in the world where they often eagerly awaited his valued opinion of their creations. A grandfather to 9, Pasha, as he would become known to Olivia, Chloe, Francesca, Seneca, Ruthie, Dominic, Misha, Asher and Luca, relished in his grandchildren’s love and success.
Survived also by his bride of 56 years, Kathy, his four children and Eric, Jason and Matt, we all hope Andy/Dad/Pasha is enjoying the very best meal he has ever had.
