Donald Douglas Andrews

ANDREWS, Donald Douglas (November 30, 1936 - March 15, 2012) – Passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a short illness on Thursday, March 15, 2012 in his 76th year. Loving husband and best friend of Betty for 27 years. Loving father of Maureen Tatasciore (Gino), Kathleen (Rob Odber) and Doreen Allen (Dean). Step-father of Laurie Watkins (Brian), Gary Potvin (Marie-Lynne) and Patti Wierzbicki (Donnie). Grandpa of Jeremey, Candace, Tyler, Andrew, Tabitha, Travis, Teagan, Lindsay, Michael, Joey, Jamie-Lyn and Emily. Great grandfather of three. Brother of Kathleen Shields (late Bob), late Wilna Lawrence (late Arnold), Jean Grasley (late John), Bill (Amy) and the late Lawrence (Lois). Uncle, cousin, and friend of all. Don will be missed by the organizations at which he spent many hours contributing to the community. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Monday, March 19, 2012 from 1 pm until time of service in the chapel at 3 pm. Memorial contributions to A.R.C.H or the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.

Hello, I am Joey. My sister Jamie and I have countless memories of our grandfather and to tell them all would probably take hours, so to sum it up my sister would like to read a short poem which we feel describes our thoughts of him:

Our Grandfather was a man who had smiles to brighten your days,

He told us “a little bit of lovin’ goes a long way”

Who always made you feel good with his warm words of praise.

And taught my brother his gentleman ways

What’s more he knew with his eyes of blue

what to do to make wishes come true.

He was our Grandfather.

Our Grandfather was someone who always had good stories to tell,

but just as importantly he knew how to be a good listener as well.

He was patient and kind

and the very best friend you could ever hope to find.

He was no ordinary man, in fact he was one of a kind

And we are proud to tell the world that Donald Andrews

Was our Grandfather.

Eulogy by Brian

Hey Mom…“What do you mean you’ve got someone for us"

Now this is a precious possession here. Gary, Patti…this better be good. To say the pressure was on was an understatement.

Well Hello…Donald Andrews…”Yes sir that’s my name from the group from up behind Bruce Mines. Actually, where’s your family from?”

“Now wait a minute, we’re asking the questions here.”

That Donnie Andrews just slipped right in…man, he snowmobiles, hunts, and has an ARGO (those things are old as hell & that was 29 years ago). Great! So our mom starts to date, doing all those things that we thought she would not. Guess what, she always had and continues to “very well I might add”. Now I know where my wife who I call “Ellie May” got it from.

In the 25 years that have followed, we acquired the perfect mate for our mom. We enjoyed so many good times together. That Don Andrews never had a bad word to say about anybody. He truly enjoyed just being along for the ride [didn’t like to go too far mind you]. We had peace of mind and gratification that mom was more than well taken care of.

So Mr. Andrews here we are today for you. From the bottom of our family’s heart “Thank you so much for taking care of our gift, one of my role models and someone I admire so much” from all of us Laurie, Brian, Lindsay, Gary, Mary, Mike, Emily, Jess, Emma, Patti, Donnie, Jamie, Joey, Kyrsten & Ryder.

When you get to where we know you are going there will this gal Carol (you can’t miss her) and this character named Pete (well he is gonna be a blast).

You are a winner Buddy, now you can rest. Remember you would say “Take care of this Lady” … well, you can count on it!

I am Don’s niece Kathy, daughter of his eldest brother, Bill. We have a large and complicated family tree. In fact, being related to this family takes having cousins to a whole new level. My husband’s parents were both from Europe, and had no family in Canada, which they felt was the only way I could marry someone who was NOT my cousin. Those of you who are not immediate family, pay attention. There may be a pop quiz later.

I loved my uncle. And I will state here and now that I called him Uncle Donnie to the end, despite his efforts to have me call him Don. I will, therefore, continue to refer to him as Uncle Donnie. If he is listening, he will just have to deal with it.

When I was talking to various family members in preparing for what I would say today, I heard so many wonderful stories about my uncle – his love of family, his loyalty to his friends, his social conscience and his incredible service as a volunteer. They told me about his lifelong love of hunting, fishing and the outdoors, his incredible skills as a woodworker (although apparently his skills at finishing projects were not quite as good, and there are a few forlorn chairs and a three-legged china cabinet to prove it), his love of music, his incredible skill on the harmonica and as a whistler, and his total lack of skill as a mechanic, at least as far as his Argo went. They also told me about his love of cows and deer, and how he would drive down to Leeburn to look for both. Just when you think you know a guy . . .

I started to search my memory for something that Uncle Donnie did specifically for me, and I came up with two things. When I was in my 20’s I was visiting my parents, and Uncle Donnie was there, too. At breakfast he could not stand that I insisted on eating my eggs with the yolk broken and cooked through. He insisted on making me a perfect fried egg, over easy, and that is how I have been eating my eggs ever since. That may also have been the weekend he convinced me to give coffee a try. Fried eggs and lots of coffee. That’s quite a legacy.

One of my uncle’s best traits was that he was a wonderful listener. At family gatherings he would seek out each member of the family and have a conversation. He would remember things you had said from year to year, and would refer to them in later conversations, which had the effect of making you feel you were important to him.

Family was so important to him. He was a devoted son, and an affectionate brother to his siblings, my aunts Kathleen, Wilna and Jean, my Uncle Lawrence and my dad. This is despite the fact that when he was very small (and you must remember that he was the youngest by a long shot), his brothers and sisters told him that if he went out in the fields with bare feet and stepped in a cow pat his feet would grow much faster, and he would catch up. Somehow I expect that my dad may have been a ringleader in this. Despite this, throughout the years he kept in touch with each of his siblings, calling to recount something he had heard or read, providing tidbits of Sault information to those who were living away and just generally passing the time of day.

He loved his daughters, Maureen, Kathleen and Doreen. He loved his first wife Rose, who had such a troubled existence, and he encouraged his daughters to honour her memory, and for that I honour him. And then, at a crucial stage in his life he met Betty, who provided him with stability and quiet companionship for so many years. After so many troubled years, Betty’s company and her strength were a well-earned and well-deserved reward. Through Betty he got three more children, Gary, Lori and Patti. He had love to spare for all of his children, their partners, and for all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren who came later. In fact, the grandchildren insisted on having the silly pictures of their grandpa on display here today, because that is how they remember him best. They also remember his complete devotion to their activities. He drove them to practice, attended games and was the world’s most loyal fan.

My uncle was loyal. If once you were his friend you were his friend for life. Over the years he made and maintained a circle of friends that was far greater than most of us will ever achieve. Even at the end old friends and co-workers were seeking him out, coming to visit or just speaking to him by phone, which was a great gift.

To that you have to add that he was one of the world’s greatest volunteers. He was a decorated blood donor, having donated blood over fifty times. He served with Meals on Wheels for over twenty-five years (beaten only by Betty’s 33 years), and he shared this task with family members, including his daughter Doreen, who went with him a number of times. He also served once or twice at the Vincent Place Soup Kitchen.

Anyone who knew Uncle Donnie well knows of his devotion to the Greyhounds. Since I live in Sudbury this is one of few things about him that I find incomprehensible, but for the sake of family I will let it go.

Betty told me that in his last two weeks he made a bucket list of the last things he wanted to do. He was able to drive his truck. He went to a hockey game, and the Greyhounds actually won. He saw his grandson Joey’s new house, which Joey had moved into just before he went into the hospital the first time. He was able to attend his great-grandson, Ryder’s second birthday party. And he went out to try to have coffee with his buddies at Cackleberries in the Market Mall one last time. Unfortunately, this was on the Sunday after the time changed, so he missed them, but the effort was there.

Gary referred to him as one of the most gentlemanly men he ever met, and I certainly agree. Toward women young or old he had a gentle chivalry that was completely charming. He was also dapper to the end. You never saw my uncle without a perfect crease in his pants and carefully cut and combed hair. I was advised, as a deep family secret, that this was due to the use of a LOT of hairspray.

I must say that I do not recall ever having seen my uncle angry, or even irritated. He had an inner calm that saw him through many difficult times. He was not perfect, but none of us are. He faced some very real troubles in his time that may have sunk a lesser man. But he persevered, showing strength of character that was an example to all around him.

I will say again that I loved my uncle. By your presence here today you are letting me know that you loved him too, and that is a bond we all share, Thank you for coming, and may God bless you all.