L. Andres Wheatley, who was born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, on Feb. 4, 1916, passed away at his home in Meudon, France, on Sunday, Oct. 25. He was 93.
Andres had lived since 1947 in France, where he moved with his wife, Mayme, shortly after their marriage on the mainland in 1946. Mayme preceded Andres in death in 2007.
Andres’ entire life was devoted to music, as a pianist and organist, composer and vocal coach.
The son of O.S. and Anna C. Wheatley, he graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School and then completed undergraduate studies at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he met his future wife.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and at the end of the war was stationed in France, which inspired his decision to return there to take graduate courses at the Sorbonne in Paris. What was intended as a short period of study led to 62 years in France as he and Mayme became immersed in French life, language and culture. They also retained close ties with friends and family on the mainland and in the Virgin Islands.
Andres was the oldest son of a large family. Two girls were followed by eight boys. He is survived by three brothers: Charles Wheatley of Fajardo, Puerto Rico, and Reuben and Henry Wheatley of St. Thomas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held in Paris on Saturday, Oct. 31.
