Obituary of Andrew Valdez Carino

Andy passed away unexpectedly at his home in Seattle on July 18, 2007. Born on January 22, 1966 in Puyallup , WA , Andy was the youngest of eight kids. He is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew, Sr. and Rose Carino. He is survived by six sisters – Glenda Carino, Debbie Detrick, Lily Ellison, Paula Marchitto, Cheryl Carino-Burr, Andrea Carino; one brother – Dexter Carino; seven nephews, two nieces, two great-nephews; and three brothers-in-law, all who live in Washington State. His extended family includes aunts, uncles and cousins in Washington and Hawaii and many dear friends here and across the United States . He also leaves behind his beloved dog Lexington in the care of his only brother. Though small in stature, Andy had a big heart and always tried to live as though he was six feet tall. He attended and excelled at Auburn High School , taking particular interest in music and science. He loved sports. One of his first career aspirations was to be a horse race jockey but his severe allergies and chronic childhood asthma prevented him from pursuing that dream. Instead he worked as a waiter and a bartender, working his way up to manage several successful restaurants. But after a while, and through life's ups and downs, Andy decided he wanted to do more with his talents. He truly wanted to make a difference. He obtained his Associate of Arts degree from Highline Community College , a Bachelor of Arts from Washington State University , and a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kentucky . Again he excelled in academics. He worked to support himself through school, but he also found time to make lifelong friends--Kim, Duane, Katie, Julie and Corey and many more. One of his favorite college activities was participating as a coxswain for a rowing team at WSU. Somehow, he always found a way to participate in the activities he loved despite his medical difficulties. When he moved to Lexington , Kentucky , his family wondered how a Filipino-American boy and a lifelong Pacific Northwesterner could fare in the South. He said it took some getting used to but again he adapted and thrived. When he graduated from the University of Kentucky , he became the only member of the Carino family to receive a post graduate degree. He was a late starter, but he was proud to have achieved his goal. It took a while to find a job in his field after he moved back to Washington . As he applied, he worked again as a bartender and a waiter in the Tacoma area. He eventually secured a job with the state of Washington as a Rehabilitation Counselor at Green Hill Academy in Chehalis. After working there for several years he applied for and was hired into his dream job – Rehabilitation Counselor in the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration of DSHS. As a juvenile parole officer, he helped under-aged offenders and their families learn skills that would help them cope with modern society and keep them out of the system. Unfortunately, home visitations were too demanding on Andy’s health, and he transferred to the more controlled environment of the Woodinville Treatment Facility where he worked with soon-to-be released juvenile inmates. Although there were times when Andy walked in the shadows, he was a beacon that helped other people find their way. Sadly, at times he could not illuminate the darkness for himself. But whether you knew him as a brother, friend, confidant, rabid Mariner fan, mentor, practical jokester, counselor, Karaoke singer, wickedly good cook, or Halloween fool; remember him with a kind heart and a warm smile. The family will celebrate Andy’s life at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at the Tapps Island Community Clubhouse, 20818 Island Park Way E, Lake Tapps, WA 98391. Or you can leave condolences here. In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances to the Andy Carino, Jr. Scholarship at Highline Community College . Contact Rod Stephenson at (206) 878-3710, Ext. 3696 or online at www.funds4highline.org.