News Release

SAN FRANCISCO -- Coast Guard Master Chief Boatswain's Mate Paul Andrieu, former officer in charge of the Bodega Bay-based Coast Guard Cutter Sockeye, died at a local hospital Monday, July 26. He was 48.

Andrieu retired after 30 years of service during a change of command ceremony held a week earlier.

 

A skilled mariner, inspirational leader, and true shipmate, Master Chief Andrieu was known for his good humor, even keel, and approachable demeanor.  A fixture in the Eleventh Coast Guard District, especially in the San Francisco area, his experience and professional knowledge established him as a mentor, advisor, and friend for countless Coast Guardsmen throughout his career.

 

Master Chief Andrieu, a native of San Francisco, graduated from Archbishop Riordan High School.  He enlisted in the Coast Guard in March of 1980 and completed basic training at Coast Guard Boot Camp then located in Alameda.

 

Throughout his career, he commanded several Coast Guard units in the Bay Area, including most recently: the Coast Guard Cutter Sockeye, Coast Guard Station San Francisco; Coast Guard Station Carquinez, Calif.; and the San Francisco-based Cutter Point Brower. Earlier in his career he was Executive Petty Officer, or second in command, at Station Golden Gate and the cutter Point Brower. 

 

Outside of the Bay Area, other assignments were at Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard in Washington, D.C., crewmember aboard Coast Guard Stations Saint Inigoes, Md., and San Diego; Group San Diego, and the Cutter Active in Port Angeles, Wash. 

 

Prior to his last assignment as the officer in charge of Cutter Sockeye, he was Sector San Francisco’s Command Master Chief.

 

His military awards include the following: Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal with one gold star, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal with three gold stars, the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation, and numerous other awards.  His years of dedicated sea duty, boat operations, and leadership assignments were recognized by his Coast Guard permanent Cutterman’s pin, permanent Boat Forces insignia, and command pins both ashore and afloat. Master Chief Andrieu was a graduate of the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy in Petaluma, Class 50. 

 

“We would like to express our gratitude to the medical and nursing staff at UCSF Medical Center for their excellent care of Paul," his family said in a statement. 

Master Chief Andrieu is survived by his parents Paul and Patricia Andrieu, his sister Nancy Andrieu, four children Shaun, Christopher, Rachel, Kelsey, and one granddaughter, Lilyanna.  He also leaves his fiancée Cindy Berkiw.

 

A memorial service for family, friends and Coast Guard personnel will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Coast Guard Sector San Francisco on Yerba Buena Island, Aug. 12 to be followed by a memorial mass Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Visitacion in San Francisco.

 

At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, a blood donation may be made to a local blood bank.

 

In addition, a scholarship fund was established in Master Chief Andrieu’s name. Donations should be made payable to Paul Andrieu, Sr., Executor and sent to:

 

Commander

USCG Sector San Francisco

1 Yerba Buena Island

San Francisco, CA  94130

Attn: BMCM Andrieu Memorial Fund