Andrew Stephen Molloy

HALLOWELL – Andrew Stephen Molloy of Hallowell, who spent decades documenting daily life in Central Maine as a photojournalist with the Kennebec Journal, died on March 31, 2026 in Augusta after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 57.

For 30 years, Andy spent his days getting to know the people (and dogs) of every city, town and village of the Kennebec Valley and beyond. He was a constant fixture at high school sports games, civic events and anywhere breaking news was happening. But Andy also saw the beauty of everyday life – a farmer in his field, children splashing in the river, flowers in a side garden – and could capture that beauty with his camera so the rest of the world could see it, too. He was also an unflinching journalist, working his countless sources to unearth the darker stories that needed sunlight.

Born Feb. 9, 1969, in Augusta, Andy was the son of Michael J. Molloy Jr. and Veronica Masciadri Molloy of Hallowell. He graduated from Hall-Dale High School in 1987 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Bard College in New York in 1992. While at Bard, Andy co-founded the college’s first emergency medical service, which still operates today as a 24/7, student-run EMS. He also worked as a paramedic with the New York City Fire Department in Brooklyn, learning lifesaving skills that he would employ many times back in Maine.

Andy caught the photography bug in high school. After graduating from college, Andy returned home to the area he loved and began working for the Kennebec Journal in the mid-1990s. Andy shot untold thousands of photos of local communities – from the joyous moments to the tragedies – and won numerous state and national awards for his work, including two awards from Pictures of the Year International. He also helped to lead the union at the KJ for many years.

But photography was arguably Andy’s second-favorite part of the job. His passion was talking to people and hearing their stories. And anyone who ever met Andy knew he could talk … and talk. A true storyteller, Andy was known for his winding soliloquies and deep reservoir of knowledge. He was opinionated and stubborn but also exceptionally intelligent, curious and generous. He took in people who needed help and never asked for anything in return.

Andy’s other great passions were fly fishing, observing nature (especially birds) … and other people’s dogs. He was highly skilled with a fly rod and spent every moment he could casting lines on the Magalloway River, the West Branch of the Penobscot River, the Roach River and his many super-secret trout holes closer to home. Fly fishing became a respite during his lengthy fight against cancer.

Friends were everything to Andy. His circle of friends is so large that many have never met one another – until now. He was also a voracious reader of history and economics as well as a lover of fine art.

Andy was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, adenoid cystic carcinoma, a decade ago. He fought it every step of the way. Although the cancer eventually won, Andy said he hoped his participation in several experimental drug trials at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston would ensure others would have better odds of beating the disease.

Andy is survived by his mother, Veronica Masciadri Molloy of Hallowell; his three siblings, Catherine Molloy of Hallowell, Thomas J. Molloy and his wife Sally of Orono, and Mary “Molly” Molloy Hollister and her husband James of Durham, N.H.; and nieces/nephews Nate Hollister, Tessa Hollister and Anna Molloy.

He was predeceased by his father, Michael J. Molloy Jr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Hallowell on Saturday, April 11 at 10 a.m. A celebration of Andy’s life will be held at Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center in Hallowell immediately following the funeral Mass.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Andy’s memory to either: Spindleworks Gardiner, an arts gallery and studio for artists with disabilities; or to the campaign to conserve land around Andy’s beloved Magalloway River at magalloway.org.