George Arlie Andres

Predeceased by his parents: George & Elsie Andres (nee Regier), siblings: Harry, Louise, Peter, & Roy.

Survived by his wife: Wilma Andres (nee Epp). Sister: Elsie Campbell (nee Andres). Children: Georgia Pichette (nee Andres), Brian Pichette (deceased); Myra Wright (nee Andres), Grant Wright; Yvonne Kuhn (nee Andres) Ted Kuhn; Randall Andres, Gloria Andres (nee Marocchi); Corinne Glover (nee Andres) Richard Glover. Grandchildren: Shawna Bradford (nee Pichette), Kyla Smyth (nee Pichette), Talia Belzil (nee Kuhn), Garrett Wright, Tarrissa Kruger (nee Kuhn), Roxanne Wright, Clayton Wright, Preston Wright, Loren Andres, Teo Kuhn, Elle Glover, Spenser Andres, Dawson Kuhn, Chaisi Glover, & Richard (Kolya) Glover. Great-grandchildren: Tristan, Isaac, Hunter, Hudson, Alec, Lennox, Llewyn, Sebastian, Hendrix, Xander, Liv, Ezra, Elijah, Enso, & Daxton.

George was born on the homestead in Spiritwood, Saskatchewan where he learned to farm and developed his passion for horses and riding. After the passing of his mother the Andres family moved to the Rosthern area. There he finished school and began his varied career as farmhand, jockey, logger, truckdriver, car salesman, and entrepreneur. Family was always important to George. He sorely missed his mother but took great solace in helping to raise his beloved baby sister Elsie. He told many stories of times spent with his brothers, particularly his trusted younger brother Roy.

In 1954, George married the love of his life, Wilma and began a family of his own. In 1964 they relocated with their young family to Prince George, B.C. where George continued his education, becoming a journeyman in welding & pipefitting. He worked as a tradesman for Northwood Pulp and instructed at the College of New Caledonia. In 1976, George brought his family to the west coast, where he and Wilma opened the first of two dry-cleaning stores which they owned and operated with the help of their children and loyal staff. Always industrious and needing to be busy George left the business under Wilma’s guidance and took a position as a welder/pipefitter at Shellburn Refinery, in Burnaby. There he worked until retirement at the age of 61.

George knew a life well lived is NOT all work and no play and he was never dull: His curiosity for technology meant he became a computer whiz; from the first DOS to the latest OSI and all those in between. He was an amazing dancer—foxtrot, waltz, polka, square dance; George and his Wilma were graceful to behold on any dance floor, even if it was in the kitchen! His affinity for animals meant the family home was a menagerie of pets for his children from fish and birds, to cats and dogs, and of course a horse. Not only did he make sure his family had a secure life, he made sure they had fun; with winters spent skiing on the local hills, skating on the ice-rink in the backyard, or shooting pool in the basement and summers spent boating, fishing & water-skiing on his boat the Wilma C., horseback riding, camping and travelling throughout western Canada and the U.S.

Always adventurous and with a nomadic streak George wasted no time sitting around after retirement, instead, he (along with his Sweety, Wilma) spent over twenty years travelling: from northern B.C. to southern Mexico, west to east coast of North America and a river cruise through Europe.

George enjoyed spending time with friends and those who were fortunate to count him as one will know there are many words to describe him: kind, thoughtful, sensitive, jovial, loyal, generous, and loving.

We, who are fortunate to say he was our husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather haven’t enough words to express our sorrow, but it makes us happy to know he lived life to its fullest.

A visitation for George will be held Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 9:30 AM at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T2X5. A funeral service will occur Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 10:30 AM, 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T2X5. A reception will occur Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 11:30 AM, 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T2X5.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in George's memory may be made to Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon , 885 Dunsmuir St Suite #200, Vancouver, BC V6C 1N5, https://www.heartandstroke.ca/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnfh-abbotsford.com for the Andres family.