Andrew David Kiracofe

In the tribute section below, a friend quotes a well-known proverb, “The star that burns twice as bright burns half as long.”  Andrew lived to age 37, just under half a life span, leaving his life partner, his family and his friends bereft. His unexpected death on September 1, 2021, was brought about by coronary artery disease.

A young man who brought humor, kindness, and generous mentorship to those with whom he grew up and worked, Andrew was born in Prince Frederick MD in 1984, the third child of Emily Parkhurst and the late Jerry Kiracofe. He lived in Ellicott City MD, enjoying a childhood full of youth sports, snowboarding trips, the Snowball Stand and Soft Stuff, skateboarding and backyard games with school friends and neighbors. Andrew graduated in 2003 from Centennial High School, where he was active in drama, appearing in more than eight productions, taking the lead role in Lil’ Abner, and drawing on innate creativity and humor at the Fat Night Follies each year. He received the senior superlative of “Best All Around” and donned the Homecoming King crown, albeit somewhat reluctantly. He spent happy summers at his grandparents’ home on the South River and as a camper and counselor at Camp Wright in Stevensville MD, where his life will be celebrated in November.

Andrew graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2007 with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics – and perhaps far more importantly, a tight bond with classmates and Phi Delt fraternity brothers who shared four years of the usual late-night discussions, philosophical debates, and hilarious college hijinks.  Upon graduation, he worked for three years in investment banking at M&T Bank in Baltimore and then took time to work on business school applications, enjoy snow sports in Colorado, intern as a market intelligence analyst at the Chesapeake Innovation Center, and help his brother with his leadership and team development business, Gooseworks Consulting. He also began to explore the world a bit, connecting easily with fellow travelers in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe.

After earning an MBA in 2014 from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, he worked with The Cambridge Group in Chicago as consultant and project manager. He later joined Wilson Perumal & Co. where he was promoted to Engagement Director only a few weeks before his death. Andrew was seen as an emerging leader at the firm, helping to develop a strong private equity strategy, bringing in new clients, and mentoring others.

Andrew loved the outdoors, the Chesapeake Bay, hiking, snowboarding, ospreys and bald eagles, stand-up comedy, trading one-liners, music, drawing, dress-up parties and so much more. He lit up a room. In remembering Andrew, so many friends have written about light, energy, enthusiasm, hilarity, his ability to make everyone laugh and his acceptance of others. One Ellicott City neighbor noted that his uniqueness came from the love and grounding of his family….a beloved son and younger brother.

Andrew’s true nature could be found in his relationships - with his family, his many friends, even the guy on the street. Most especially, he knew he had found his life partner, Alma Christina Valentin, when they met in 2010. They shared so much - music festivals, snowboarding, a great sense of style, delicious food, space and nature films, birding, late nights, so many friends’ weddings, love for family, and of course, a daily dose of humor.   A colleague recalls, "…the way he spoke about his love for Alma was deeply touching. He never left the ‘honeymoon stage’ of their relationship and had hearts and stars in his eyes every time he shared with me about their beautiful life together."

In addition to Alma, Andrew leaves his mother, Emily Parkhurst of Mayo, MD; his sister Jessica Fitter (Ned, Sarah, Abby) of Marriottsville; his brother Phil Kiracofe (Lindsay, Alexander) of Baltimore; and many, many close friends, and cousins. 

Thank you to all who joined us for the Celebration of Life for Andrew at Camp Wright in Stevensville, Maryland, on Saturday, November 13. We are working on planning a second event in Ft Lauderdale, Florida, later this year - details TBD. Check the Events tab above for updates.

To honor Andrew’s love of the Chesapeake Bay, the family has set up a charitable fund in his name. Starting in 2022, this fund will make annual contributions to organizations that help protect and restore the Bay, and that inspire youth to learn about the Bay, its wildlife, and its ecosystem. Tax-deductible donations are welcome and may be made to the Andrew Kiracofe Memorial Fund, Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County, 900 Bestgate Rd, Annapolis MD 21401 or online at https://cfaac.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=2445.

Please consider adding a tribute to Andrew below; these stories and remembrances are heart-felt gifts to Andrew’s family.