Andrew Joseph Shaw

Andy is survived by his wife Jean, son Richard, and daughter Katherine (George Athanasiou), grandsons James and Ben, Brother Bruce and his wife Betty, and his sisters-in-law Violet and Christa. He was predeceased by his father Robert Shaw, his mother Christina, and brothers Bob and John.

After high school, Andy worked at Westinghouse in Hamilton, where his father also worked for many years, beginning a career working with complex mechanical and electronic technology. In the early 1950's he joined the Royal Canadian Navy, training in communications technology and selected to become a Radio Communicator, a specialist role requiring speed, accuracy and a flair for solving technical problems. During this period Andy also traveled to many foreign destinations, yielding great memories which he shared with many throughout his lifetime.

After an honorable discharge from the Navy, Andy continued his technical training by studying at the well-regarded Radio College in Toronto. This training also enabled Andy to enter the emerging computer systems industry, beginning a more than 25-year career with Univac (later Sperry-Univac), a major developer and provider of new mainframe computer systems to Canada's largest corporations in Toronto.

After more specialized training at Univac and more practical experience, Andy became the man available around the clock to troubleshoot mysterious mechanical problems plaguing the few room-sized mainframe behemoths in corporate head offices downtown. On many long days and nights, [the clock was ticking and executives were pacing] while Andy diagnosed and fixed the problem, drawing on instinct as well as technical knowledge.

Andy was ultimately promoted to Field Supervisor, Customer Engineering in the Canadian Rebuild Department at Univac Head Office. Corporate downsizing in the 1980s led Andy toward a security position at nearby McDonnell Douglas, an aviation technology corporation until he took retirement.

At home, in the house Andy and Jean bought early in their marriage, Andy was a lifelong home handyman and gardener, continually learning and experimenting. He was well known in the neighborhood for always having a smile and a helping hand, especially for home projects of a technical and creative nature. Many strangers walking in the park would stop and admire Andy's home garden, and not a few asked for advice.

In later years, Andy was still in touch with emerging high technology, spending many hours online with his new iPad, happily consulting technical manuals to master the details and explore the possibilities.

In accordance with Andy's wishes, a private memorial ceremony for immediate family will be followed by cremation. This service will be held at Andrews Community Funeral Centre on Monday, February 11, 2013.

A family celebration of his life will be held in the spring at a location and date to be arranged.

"In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to the Canadian Lung Association and the Heart and Stroke Foundation."