Andy Fiffick, 47, of Columbia, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 1, 2024. Born in Columbia on October 21, 1976, he was the son of the late Andrew Theodore Fiffick, III and Connie Johnson Fiffick.
Andy grew up in Columbia's Shandon neighborhood where he graduated from Dreher High School in 1994. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the University of South Carolina and his JD from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2005.
Andy started working in restaurants in high school when he wasn't playing bass with The Electric Company. He interned with the SC Republican Party in college and owned and operated A Clean Sweep, a power washing and janitorial services business, until he started law school.
Andy began is legal career working for the SC Department of Revenue. He also worked as assistant counsel and later chief counsel to the SC House of Representatives Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee. He left the SC House to serve as chief legal counsel for then Lt. Governor Henry McMaster. In 2016, he began his tenure as the chief of staff and research director to the SC Senate Judiciary Committee.
Andy dedicated his life outside of work to his children and their activities. He also loved cooking, playing guitar and bass and listening to music as loud as he could stand it. Because of his love of music, Andy enjoyed singing with the Shandon United Methodist Celebration Choir. Andy loved being at home with his family working in the yard, dropping baseballs in the pitching machine for Drew and kicking the soccer ball with Mary Alton. His most favorite thing in the world was being Deeda to Malt and Drew.
Andy is survived by his wife and best friend of almost 23 years, Casey Fields; son, Andrew "Drew" James Fiffick; daughter, Mary Alton Fiffick; mother, Connie Fiffick; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jim and Carolyn Fields; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, William and Mary Elizabeth Fields Mote; sister, Sally Foster; brother, Ryan Fiffick; nephews, James William Mote and John Robert Foster, IV; niece, Dolly Elizabeth Mote; his beloved dog, Clementine; and his close friends who he considered his family.
Andy also cherished the friendships he developed with the loyal and dedicated staff of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Kickin' Koalas soccer team and the 2024 Spring 12U Vipers baseball team.
A service to celebrate Andy's life will be held at 11 o'clock on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Shandon United Methodist Church with the Rev. Smoke Kanipe officiating. The family will greet friends at a reception following the service in Player Hall at the church.
Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memorials may be given to the South Carolina Future Scholars 529 College Savings Accounts of Andrew James Fiffick and Mary Alton Fiffick.
Memories and condolences may be shared at shivesfuneralhome.com.