The town of Londonderry lost another key figure to the rural quality of life established by its forefathers.
Andy Mack Sr., passed away over the weekend, leaving behind countless attributes he and his family were able bring to the community.
Born, Andrew C. Mack, on Oct. 4, 1935, in Manchester, Andy was the son of Wallace and Grace, Pillsbury, Mack.
Andy was responsible for running the family farm for most of his adult life and had a pssion for all living things around him.
His family farm, Mack’s Apples, was founded in 1732 by John Mack, who emigrated from Londonderry, Ireland, to New Hampshire. In the 1800s, the family began to concentrate on growing apples, and the farm was formally registered as a business in 1962.
After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, he became the seventh generation of family members to work the land in Londonderry.
According to his obituary, Andy served his community as the Londonderry Town and School moderator, was a layperson at the Londonderry Presbyterian Church, and a Vice President at Derry Bank and Trust. He also was a member of the Derry Rotary.
In his later years, Andy spurred quite a bit of public discussion over the signs he would paint in the center of town on plywood.
Andy also welcomed many political figures to the farm stand over the years. Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, and Barack Obama all made stops at the farm. Michelle Obama was also a visitor to the farm and carved pumpkins on Adams Road with her daughters.
Over the years, Mack worked to conserve the open space of the family farm and was particularly found of the Overlook area, which is now part of the Town Forest overlooking the pond.
Andy sold the family business to Kyle Christensen in 2021, who currently maintains the farming tradition.
The nearly 300-year old farm, known as Moose Hill Orchards was the oldest family-run farm in the state, having been run by the Mack family for eight generations, before being sold.
He was also a bit of a world traveler later in life, and an avid skier, cyclist, and windsurfer. Andy leaves behind three sons, Andrew C. Mack Jr. and his wife Carol, Timothy W. Mack and his wife, Patricia, and Jonathan R. Mack and his partner, Dr. Angel Leyva.
He also has two grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 23 years, Sandra (Senter) Mack, his infant daughter, Jennifer, brother, Wallace Mack III, and sister, Dixie Mack.