Richard Ellis Andrews

How do I condense the last 11 years of good times & adventures?

How do I sum-up our relationship & what Rick meant to me?

How do I express the deep searing pain of losing my best friend & partner in life?

I can’t

What I CAN do is find joy in the fact that I was lucky enough to have Rick in my life for the short time we had together. I am honoured to have been witness to such a magnificent life – I have become a better person for having known him.

We always seemed to laugh…could be going to Garage Sales, spending time on one of the “many” boats, going South for Vacation, simply going for a drive, playing with Spirit, or just hanging out – somehow, even the smallest things could be great adventures with Rick.

For a lot of people, work life and home life are kept separate.

Rick, however, was skilled at combining both – he was friends with people at work, and they in turn got to know Rick’s friends and family…in fact, Rick would often rope his Dad into shuttling cars around with his staff at Thrifty….heck, I’ve even done it a couple times! Everybody in Rick’s life, knew everybody – thanks to his open and gracious nature.

That’s part of the reason that writing this was difficult…because he openly shared his life with you, most of you have heard of our escapades…like:

-the drinking bacon fat story

-the chicken wing while camping with Cathy & Vern story

-the getting the boat stranded at the mouth of the river story

-the dabbing a napkin on Chad’s face in Florida story

-the tearing the bumper off my Volkswagon story

-the spending the day after we were married with Dan & Lynn and not telling them anything story

-the multitude of Spirit stories, including the sock stories and the day he told a guy Spirit was a Gargoyle and he believed him story

There was something about Rick’s delivery that caused you to believe EVERYTHING he said…and sometimes these things weren’t totally true…he would tell you an interesting tidbit, and it may seem a bit far fetched…but you were never really sure if it was accurate??

One of the great skills Rick had was his skill of acquisition…we could be out somewhere, and he would see some random thing…like a cement mixer…and exclaim “ooooooo I don’t have one of thoooose”…well, we actually picked up a cement mixer last summer!

Rick was always on the hunt for a good deal…he loved to buy low and sell high. It was amazing what he could dig up, either on-line or at Garage Sales. He was so proud that Amanda has this skill…in fact, I believe the student has become the teacher. Rick’s hunt for these deals wasn’t just in his personal life, he carried it over into Thrifty too.

Rick just loved building the Thrifty business & finding interesting ways of bringing in revenue. I think it helped that he thoroughly enjoyed what he did, and those he did it with; being part of the Eastside Group and working with the Brick Family.

Rick had a sly side…especially as it related back to Thrifty. If it was particularly treacherous on the roads, Rick would have an evil smile before walking out the door, and sing his little jingle:

“Smash, Bang, Crack ‘em up & Rent a Car from Meeeeeeeeee”

I have heard from many of you that knew Rick, and sharing what he meant to you. I encourage you all to come forward and share those memories with everyone here today. Seeing so many people here is testament to what a wonderful man he was.

Although my heart is broken, I am confident that Rick will be with all of us, in everything we do. It could be a saying, or an action that will remind of us Rick – and we’ll smile. Rick would want that – SMILE.

Make him proud, as he was proud of us.

Move forward, remember how it felt to be supported, to be loved & not take life so seriously. Remember to share these things with others.

Please continue his legacy.

There is a quote that Rick had from his Grandmother:

“I am looking forward to looking back”

Thank you

~ Lee

I would first like to thank you all for joining us here today, both family and friends alike. He would be proud of the respect you've shown him and be honoured by your presence.

I'd like to start off by reciting a poem that reminds me of Dad:

One bright day in the middle of the night, two dead boys got up to fight

Back to back they faced each other, drew their swords and shot each other

A deaf policeman heard the noise, he came and shot the two dead boys

If you don't believe this lie is true, ask the blind man--he saw it too.

I hope that brings back warm memories of my Dad--it was something that he recited often throughout my childhood.

On Wednesday, March 11, 2015 we lost someone very dear to our hearts. A warm and caring person, my Dad will be greatly missed by all. His humour and love was well-known to all who knew him.

Sudden and unforeseen, his passing was a shock to everyone. He had been battling, what we now know was lung disease, for a few years. After years of tests, they still don't know what caused it (it was believed to be Interstitial Lung Disease). After exhausting treatment options (there is no cure), he'd been scheduled to meet with the surgeon this past Monday to discuss a lung transplant. There was hope for his quality of life to improve and he wouldn't have the discomfort he'd been living with lately.

When he was hospitalized Monday afternoon, for what we thought would be a short trip to the hospital, never had we once thought that he would not be coming home. He was otherwise in excellent health. Tuesday he showed great progress and there was promise that he would stabilize soon and get to go home. Tuesday evening was the first time I realized just how serious his lung issues were--he'd never let on just how scary this disease is. Never once had he mentioned it was terminal, there was no cure, and that he needed a transplant for more than just improving the quality of life--he needed one to prolong his life. Tuesday evening I had an excellent visit with him and Lee, and when I left they seemed so full of hope...I, on the other hand, was afraid of losing my Dad for the first time in my life. Dad taught me that there was always time to worry later and not to waste time worrying now...and I tried to keep myself in check using that very important lesson.

He took a turn for the worse over night, and Wednesday morning just before lunch, he was switched to palliative care. The news was devastating to us all. His hospital room quickly filled with friends, family and colleagues. You know you've done something right when everyone who knows you wants to rush to your side, tell you they love you, and pay their respects. After a day of visits with those near and dear to him who gathered to see Dad one last time, he passed peacefully on Wednesday evening surrounded by loved ones.

How do say something to honour the man that was my Dad? How do you put to words all that he was? How do I articulate all of the memories, the feelings, and the lessons that he taught me over the years? There aren't enough words, and there isn't enough time...there wasn't enough time. I never pictured myself standing here today. I thought we had decades left. Over the past week I have cried over the memories, and the loss of my Dad. I have cried over the loss of the memories that I thought we still had time to make. I pictured my kids growing up with him. Papa A as Brayden calls him. I miss him, and I mourn the loss that my kids will never get a chance to truly know him.

Dad loved kids. He truly was a kid at heart. His light hearted demeanour, warm heart, and special humour brought out the best in all of us.

I'd like to read an adaptation of a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson that I think represents Dad wholeheartedly:

That man is a success

Who has lived well,

Laughed often and loved much;

Who has gained the respect

Of intelligent men

And the love of children;

Who has filled his niche

And accomplished his task

Who leaves the world better than he found it,

Who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty

Or failed to express it;

Who looked for the best in others

And gave the best he had.

You know you've done something right in life when everyone who works for you or with you, wants to come and pay their respects. Most people are not lucky enough to have worked with my Dad. Thrifty and Eastside were much more to him than a company, an occupation or a career--they were family. It's not work if you love it, and love it he did. He was so proud to be a part of such a wonderful group of people, and I know he would be so touched to know just how much each of you looked up to him and cared about him. Hearing some of the kind words you've said about him over the past week have been so comforting--I take solace in knowing that his memory, demeanour, attitude and humour will live on in so many people.

Those who knew him well, will know that Dad always knew how to get a deal, and could often get unheard of discounts simply by asking "So...can I get a discount?" in his half-joking, ever-charming, tone of voice. Garage sale-ing was a hobby of his for many years, and it was always a blast to go with him. At one time he seemed to own three of everything--dishwashers, microwaves, lawnmowers, you name it...he had at least one to spare. More recently, time spent going to various auctions with Jon, Lee, Taylor and even Brayden. Buying, fixing, and selling for profit was definitely a skill that he had. He could fix anything. Dad was frugal and proud of it...so it was very suitable that he became a part of the very aptly named "Thrifty" family.

Until I was a teenager, I didn't live with my Dad. That didn't make us any less close. He truly was my hero--I looked up to him, admired him, and missed him when I wasn't with him. For years I slept with a picture of me and my Dad under my pillow and would cuddle "Mr Bear" who proudly wore a "Dad I love you" t-shirt. That was what I did whenever I missed him. It got me through a decade of missing him when I couldn't see him--and it got me through last Wednesday night. I'm reminded of a passage from Winnie the Pooh--appropriate given that Dad read several of these stories to me as a kid:

"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart...I'll always be with you." ...

...And that's true. He is a part of me that will always be there. He helped shaped who I am, who I was, and who I will be. He will always be in my head and my heart. He will always be with me.

So many of my favourite memories with Dad were in a vehicle. Driving to and from Sanford gave us so much time one-on-one that I will cherish forever. We spent over 1,000 hours total just traveling to and from Sanford together in the 6 years that he lived there. He taught me so many valuable life lessons--7x7 is 47, not to be too proud to admit when I'm wrong (a lesson tied to 7x7 is 47), and how to laugh at myself. Dad taught me to be responsible but not to take life so seriously that I can't appreciate the humour every situation presents. So many of his lessons were games. We'd do brain teasers in the car, tell jokes, make up stories, play our own made-up jeopardy with our own made-up categories/questions/answers, and how to make life itself a game. Not a game to win--but a fun one to enjoy, and share the experience with others.

My Dad also taught me not to be gullible...which IS in the dictionary despite what he may have told you. I recall when he first got his Jeep Grand Cherokee many many years ago, that he had me convinced that the Jeep could be controlled by voice commands. He had me saying "Radio turn on" and "Turn up radio" dozens of times, even trying to mimic his voice and inflection, before he burst out laughing and showed me that the steering wheel had controls along the back of the wheel that controlled the radio. Dad was like that. Even in the hospital last Wednesday he was playing jokes on the nurse saying "Owwww!" and then smiling, when she adjusted his oxygen mask. You could always count on him to make you smile or laugh. He always taught me that life is more fun when you're laughing.

I'm so glad that Dad was able to walk me down the aisle at my wedding. He often teased Jon saying "No Takesie-Backsies." That was Dad's personality--he could always make you laugh, even at the serious parts of life.

He had a way about him that made everyone like him. He sure knew how to have fun...and it was contagious. We had so much fun and so many fun experiences over the years that I will always look back on fondly. Ever the funny guy, he told me so many jokes over the years. In comedy, timing is everything...Dad usually had impeccable comedic timing, but not always...Nearly 25 years ago, we stopped for dinner before going for family photos (the same one I had under my pillow for many years actually). During dessert, he was telling a joke, and when I heard the punchline I spit pudding all over his Armani suit...and then burst out laughing even harder over the fact he was covered in pudding lol. This was known from then on as "The Pudding Incident." Neither of us could ever remember the joke, but we could never forget The Pudding Incident.

Summer was HIS season. Between the years of pool time, "lake-ing", and boating...I have so many amazing memories...and this past summer is no different. I will be forever grateful of the time we spent last summer at the cottage with Dad and Lee. Being able to spend quality time with them out there, and being able to watch Dad play with my kids will be memories I will cherish forever.

Life was always an adventure for Dad. He and I went quad-ing last summer through muck and mud puddles, and sand dunes...it was so much fun and quite an adventure--Dad actually ROLLED his quad; we laughed so hard as we tried to get the quad back upright on the sand hill.

Yes, summer was definitely his season. I spent many a summer "behind the boat", as he called it. Whether it was tubing or waterskiing, or just going for a boatride--we spent hours upon hours on the lake. Even as I got older and I lived on my own, we'd still meet up and go for boat rides. I have so many water-related memories with Dad...so many hours spent swimming and playing in the pool, boating, tubing, and skiing. He enjoyed it so much it was heart-warming to know that he spent more than the last decade of his life with Lee; someone who enjoys it as much as he did and could share the experiences. Dad and Lee were so good for each other.

Looking back on all of these memories has been heart-warming and tough. Every time I get caught up with emotion, I think about all of the fun we had, all of the laughter he brought, all of the love he shared, and all of the lives he touched. I will always cherish the memories, mind the lessons, and appreciate the humour in life.

I will end with a quote from the ever-wise Winnie the Pooh:

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard".

Until we meet again Dad...

Random thoughts:

Happy birthday cake with candles on top

In a theatre near you

Third rock from the sun, law and order, star trek

PB bologna and mayo sandwiches

Coffee

Change a tire. Car whiz.

Dad was usually right. Example: car shopping. He tried to convince me to buy a Toyota based on reputable brand and great reliability. I bought a Mazda...and 3 years later, after driving the least reliable vehicle in existance, I traded it in for a Toyota. When I told Dad about it, all he said was "ah yes. I've heard those are good cars."--never much of an "I told you so" kind of guy (unless it was in jest), he let me learn my own lesson and didn't remind me that he was right...as he usually was.

Quiet game. "Did I win yet?"

pork face

ducky

the stars when grandma and grandpa a would leave to drive home to kamloops

snowboarding/skiing

driving along the 10,000 foot cliff in jamaica

scuba diving w/dad

swimming pool--"no you can't go in there; it's not even 20 degrees yet...and it's the first week of May"

Chess, risk, monopoly, horse race

cell phones--cantel, elite, etc

_______________________

"How lucky I am to have something

that makes saying goodbye so hard"

~Winnie the Pooh

Broccoli head

Dad would take me swimming in the pool when he lived in the apartment years ago, and spend endless hours out in the pool in the backyard in Sanford and in Charleswood--ever the fun loving spirit, he was well known for throwing all of us kids across the pool as we'd giggle and scream with glee.

~ Amanda

Rick Andrews – The Early Years

~ By PJ Andrews

Although there are many stories to tell about the “Adventures of Rick” I have to admit that as he was my younger brother, that I wasn’t always that interested in his activities – to be truthful, I tried to avoid him – he was younger and a boy – nothing appealing in that combination for me in my youth. I am sure that many of you have heard some of his escapades, as Rick was a great storyteller, and loved to share stories about his own foibles.

Rick had a very normal childhood, well normal for a boy with two older sisters. My sister and I would often tease and bug him until he was so wound up that he would explode, at which time we gleefully ran to tell mom that Rick was behaving badly. Unfortunately, mom wasn’t gullible and somehow always figured out that we had done something to initiate the problem.

To say that Rick was accident prone would be an understatement. A simple walk to the corner resulted in a quick bloody return to the house with the simple explanation that “the sidewalk jumped up and hit me in the head”. As the frequency of his accidents increased, the returns to home decreased. We grew up in a small town in Saskatchewan – long before the need for parental consent to treat a child – so when he got banded up he simply took himself off to the doctor and got patched up. Sometimes mom didn’t find out about these “accidents” until she ran into Dr. Dunbar at some store where he would casually inquire into “how is Rick doing?”

There were a number of these instances, but there was one accident where Rick didn’t get to deal with the consequences himself. Dad was in the midst of constructing a garage at the rear of our property and had got to assembling the wall frames, which of course, were laying flat on the poured concrete. Rick decided that jumping between the 2x4s seemed like a great bit of exercise, which he proceeded to do while holding a plastic gun in his mouth (I can only surmise that he wanted to keep his arms and hands free to improve balance) – he slipped and the plastic gun ripped most of the skin off the top of the roof of his mouth. Off he went to the hospital, accompanied by mom, and got stitches (although he did decline the freezing as he was scared of needles, the logic of which has always escaped me). When they got home my sister and I were duly sympathetic regarding his inability to talk.

His penchant for minimizing his health issues remained a permanent characteristic throughout Rick’s life. While in his 20s, he was working as the manager of a body shop, and got hit on the side of his head, causing damage to his eye, and was rushed to the hospital. When we all went to see him, rather than explain how he was and what the prognosis was, he told us that the doctor had “easily popped his eyeball out (emphasized with the appropriate sound effect) and he really thought that eyeballs should be more securely attached”.

Rick also had a knack for getting his own way, particularly if he decided he was right – a rare occurrence of course. The move from Kamloops to Winnipeg was done in stages – dad moved here first, followed by Rick and mom, then me and lastly, my sister, Gail. Rick wasn’t exactly thrilled about moving here but dutifully got in the car with mom and they headed East. I believe the plan was to share the driving and to make a stop to visit mom’s relative along the way. Well, apparently Rick was driving during the scheduled stopover, and just kept on driving. When mom later awoke she no doubt graciously agreed that there was little value in backtracking, so onward they went.

I am sure many of you have heard about a “spur of the moment” trip that Rick and I took from Winnipeg to Edmonton. Late one Friday night I asked Rick if he felt like driving to Edmonton and he readily agreed. We hopped in my car and off we went. We were about a couple of hours away from Edmonton and Rick decided to empty the ashtray – there was one on each side of the dash – by dumping it out the window. Within a couple of minutes I noticed that Rick’s arm was still out of the window and that he was looking straight ahead. I clued in that something was amiss and asked Rick why his arm was still outside the window. Without making eye contact, he confessed that he had dropped the ashtray about a mile back. We made a u-turn to go and retrieve the ashtray. As we approach my, at that moment, still intact ashtray and commenced to pull off the road, a GIANT semi came by and completely crushed it. Luckily we were both so overtired, that we actually laughed about it – mind you, I never did let him forget about it.

It is seems almost ironic that most of Rick’s careers involved cars. His relationship with cars in the early years was disastrous, at best. At one point he had had so many accidents and written off so many cars, that one day when my dad was going away for a few days he said to Rick – try not to have any accidents while I’m away. Rick, of course, agreed immediately. I think it was the next evening when dad called home and casually mentioned “The strangest thing happened while I was watching the news, they were reporting about a car accident that had occurred on Portage Avenue and that some car had ended up on the steps of the Kirkfield Hotel, and darned if it didn’t look just like Rick’s car”. And yep, it was.

And of course, there is the famous boat story – the boat that was allergic to water. Rick had bought a boat, it wasn’t the newest boat, or the prettiest boat, or the biggest boat – but these weren’t the problem, it was the fact that the boat motor would run beautifully until it was in the water. Rick and his cousin Brad spent days, perhaps weeks, working on that darned boat. Although there were many moments when they thought that all of the problems had been resolved, there was one day when their belief turned into certainty. The boat was placed into the river; the engine started up with a purr and continued to run! The joy was palpable in the air. The buoyant twosome headed downstream; confident that their laborious endeavours had at last paid off and that happy boating adventures would be filling their days from now on. Unfortunately, the motor only ran for about 10 minutes, at which point they were a long way downstream from the dock in the middle of the river, with the River Rouge chugging its way towards them. It took a while to get the boat off to the side so that the River Rouge could pass by and it took even longer to push, pull and drag the boat back upstream to the dock. Neither one being the type to give up, they continued to work on the boat but always ensured that any further test runs were done heading upstream.

I could likely fill days sharing Rick stories, but I think that is enough from me today. As I know Rick would want you to do, please feel free to share these stories with anyone – Rick would enjoy knowing that his misfortunes benefited someone else, even if it was only to bring a laugh to their day.

Be You

(For Rick)

His words were simple, yet elegant and profound:

Be you. No apologies.

Permission to be myself without judgement.

Those simple words gave me the freedom to just be.

No explanation needed.

Those two words were the beginning of my journey

Into an exploration of who I was and who I wanted to become.

He taught me many difficult lessons with grace and dignity.

He encouraged me to never judge a person by his or her worst day...

Reflection and accountability were things that he encouraged.

To teach such difficult lessons with ease demonstrates

The caliber of his person and the legacy that he leaves behind.

One person can make a difference. One person can change a life.

He changed my life by simply uttering two words. Be you.

~ Written by: Lynn Neufeld

I'm sad. But I don't cry that often.

Rick was by far the best boss I have ever had. He knew how to be friendly

but also knew how to lead. He made it an enjoyable place to work.

It's weird to come into a shift and not see his name and number come up. And

even now if I don't know how to do something and I pick up the phone to call

him. I miss his truck lurking in the parking lot. I just miss seeing him.

He was super nice. He was sarcastic and funny. He cared about us. I mean, he

referred to us as his kids haha. Anytime I was sick he would call or text me

to make sure I was ok. When he found out that chinedu and I broke up he came

in on my shift to make sure I was alright and to make sure chinedu was still

helping with Ethan. He and I would often swap stories. Mine about Ethan and

his were about his grand kids, sometimes about when his kids were small. On

my birthday he brought me breakfast. He actually appreciated the work that I

do and noticed that I take it upon myself to go above and beyond. I'm really

touched that he seen me as management potential.

I have so many little stories about him. Just from working with him here and

there.

I remember him coming in to the sandman one day and I thought, uh oh, what'd

i do? He just asked how I was doing and then said hey, did you hear I got

married?! Of course I had. Do you wanna see some pictures? He was glowing.

It was wonderful to see.

Shortly after moving to Wellington he called me to his office and said, did

you hear I ordered you business cards? I was like you did?! He looked away

and said uh no. I didn't. Looked back with a little smirk and said, but do

you wanna see them?? I said yes obviously. He said two bucks. I picked up a

toonie off his desk and handed it to him. He looked and me and said heeeeey.

Don't do that! That's something I would do! He definitely rubbed off on all

of us.

He talked with me about my mom and Greg. He knew I was frustrated with the

jokes being made around the office. And told me that if I had any problems

that I could talk to him.

I'm really glad that my mom got to know him. He always told me that my mom

was "good peoples". I think he was just happy that Greg would be able to

stop third wheeling with him and lee. Haha.

I feel lucky that I was able to learn so much from him personally. I feel

lucky to have worked with him. I feel luck to have joked with him. I feel

lucky to have known him.

Man, it's weird and uncomfy when people die. I don't know how to emotion

properly in these situations haha.

He was a great man. And he will never be forgotten. He will always be in my

heart.

~ Adrianna

I would first like to offer my condolences to Rick’s family, and the rest of his many friends.

Although we are all gathered here today to celebrate Rick, I can’t say anything about Rick without first mentioning his lovely wife Lee; It was through Lee that we first met Rick, and our lives have never been the same since…in only the best of ways of course. He touched the lives and hearts of many, and ours are definitely no exception.

His wife Lee and I have been best buds for almost 25 years (but who’s counting, eh Lee). We have been through a great deal together over the years, but I have to say, I had never seen her happier and more content than when she met Rick. He definitely made a big impression on her almost immediately, and very quickly became the center of her universe, as she was of his. I don’t think I have never met a couple who were more suited for each other. They shared many of the same interests, but even more importantly, the same quirky sense of humour. They spent every possible moment together and seemed to be happiest when they were in each other’s company. I often say this, but I believe whole-heartedly, if there is any such thing as soul mates, they were definitely it!!!

Much like Lee and I having many parallels in our life, it turned out that Rick and my Vern also had many life events in common, so we very quickly hit it off with them as a couple as well. Over the years, we all talked many times about all going on a winter vacation together. Me and “my friend” Lee, with Rick and “his friend”, Vern. (another inside joke) Even though we had only managed to get away with them one time, in a large part due to Rick, with his antics and sense of adventure, it was a very memorable vacation that I am very grateful we were able to share with them. We aptly named the theme of that vacation, “bumpy”, which encapsulated many events throughout that week. Those that knew Rick, also know how determined he could be, but may not have had the opportunity to experience first-hand just how much trouble that determination can cause in certain situations. Patience wasn’t always one of his best virtues, and didn’t readily accept no as an answer. Keeping in mind that this was the first time we had been away anywhere with them, we had no idea what we were in for. Our “bumpy” arrival to Cancun, and “bumpy” ride to our hotel, was nothing compared to the “adventure” we were about to encounter the very next morning. Rick took great exception to the way we treated when we were trying to check out of our temporary first night accommodations, and had no reservation about acting on his frustration. However, when we couldn’t produce the proper check-out documents at the gate, the hotel staff didn’t take very kindly to us trying to leave. They barricaded the only exit for the premises, and refused to let us out until we produced them. But Rick, in turn, retaliated by pulling our vehicle in front of the entrance so nobody else could in then either, nor could anyone else behind us leave. We created quite a stir at the gate. After a lengthy test of wills that ensued between Rick (with Vern in the back seat egging him on of course) and the guards at the gate, the Federalis were called in so we finally ended up submitting to their demands. We got the required paperwork, and paid off the very irate taxi driver who had been stuck behind us the whole time, just so that we could get the heck out of there before the police arrived, cuz spending the rest of vacation in a Mexican prison was NOT in the plan. Good times!!! Lol. It was definitely a very memorable start, and set the tone for the remainder of the week. Thanks for those memories Rick!!! I can’t think of anyone else I would have wanted to share that experience with!!! Our lives will never be quite the same without him, but we will continue to cherish what time we did have, and ALL the memories we have.

Rest in Peace OUR dear friend!!

~ Cathy

In our early years Rick and I had developed a relationship where I could talk about home life with him. Rick and I definitely shared the same twisted humour that few could comprehend. A lot of it involved roasting people but in such a way that they would come back for more. Well one Monday morning I came into the office with a picture of My wonderful, amazing yet diabetic then-boyfriend hiding in the closet eating a cupcake. Even though it was somewhat staged- George wanted to eat all my hard work and in an attempt to have more,he told me "ill hide in here with these" and ran to the closet. I had no idea the impact of that picture on Rick and from February 2011 until last Thursday when he sent me a text to inform me that "cupcake has arrived" was forever going to be my husbands name to him. The majority of my relationship with Rick was done in humour and laughter, his constant back to back phone calls drove me nuts but I realized in the last week when he was admitted to the hospital how much I needed his morning check ins. Rick taught me how to be able to lead a team of employees. Rick always enforced how important family time was and I always made it my priority to mimic Rick's values and direction. I loved working for a boss who allowed discussion, free thought, personal opinion as well as new ideas to be implemented into the daily business of Thrifty. From my first day at thrifty I have always felt as a valued asset to the company and Rick was responsible for that. I'm going to miss my weekly lunches with him and it will be a long time before ill be able to go back to Denny's restaurant for a meal, and no it's not because of the service and greasy meal- that was our place to go and talk about the next steps for Thrifty and how the week was going. I feel blessed and honoured that I got to see thrifty from the beginning stages when we had approximately 40 cars to share between inkster and marion to the company that we see today. Rick had my back with any customer complaint and gave me the confidence to stand up for myself. I owe my ability to run the sandman with such ease is because he believed in me therefore I was able to believe in myself.

~ Kim

I got to know Rick about 4 years ago. Right from the start, he struck me as a friendly, easy going, generous kinda guy. Very quickly he introduced me to his quirky wit and sense of humor. He had no trouble teasin' me so I tried to give it right back but I must admit I'm not near as good as he was! Sometimes I would be driving away thinking to my self...wait a minute, did he just get me? oooo he could be cleverly suttle, but all in fun.

I have a cottage just down the way from Lee and Rick....or Ree and Lick as some of us go bye(Greg lol) well,they do go together like bread and butter... this is where I got to know more and more of Rick and his generous nature. Again right from the start did he offer to take my two girls and I on his boat. One of the most memorable times at the lake is heading out on that great big boat, over glass like water where it just runs into the sky line and beautiful sunshine all around. He anchored us in close to shore and we could just hop out into waist deep warm water. We had snacks and red solo cups... the girls were splashing about. We were there for hours....just blissful it was.

This kind of generosity continued when he brought the jet skis and then quads out. Always thoughtful to stop in if Lee and him were passing by...hey do you wanna go for a ride he'd offer.

My friend Rob had wanted me to pass this on today.

"I didn't know Rick that well, but what I appreciated about him was his kind and welcoming nature. Story that sticks out to me, is when Silas and I came up to the cabin one of the first times and to help us feel welcome, Rick came over with his Quads and took Silas and I trail riding. He was a good guy."

I have many good memories of times spent with Rick listening to him crack corny jokes and all of us sittin around asking Serie (on his phone) silly questions- like the time on my brother Gregs back yard boat party.. He was thoughtful to include me with invitations to join the gang for traditional steak dinner nights at The A.

Once I brought Rick out to the lake with the girls and I so he had the right timing to drive the big boat across to Gimli....come to think of it that was probably my least stressfree ride out lol Rick kept my girls entertained the whole time with his curious questions of them or riddles or joking around and always this patient and calm way about him.

Something else that really spoke to me was the relationship between Lee and Rick. They role modeled mutual respect, healthy communication, friendship and fun-Rick sure could make Lee laugh and they would often laugh together: reminising about some funny line in a movie or commercial, inside jokes and even a wierd form of communication sometimes- I think from an Alien movie they liked? At the lake they liked to go boating together or trail riding on the quads and always get together to end the night around the fire! All of this a testimony to their groovey kinda love story.

You know the more I think about it as all these memories come to mind....Rick truly was a good guy! My girls Jenna and Erica and myself are better people for knowing him and will surely miss him. Rest in Peace Rick.

~ Shawna

* * * * * * * * * *

RICK (RICHARD) ANDREWS

Unexpectedly, on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, Rick passed away after having a wonderful day of visits with many friends and family.

Rick is survived by his wife, Lee-Ellen (Green), his daughter, Amanda and her husband Jonathan (grandsons, Brayden and Hudson), his son, Taylor, Rick’s father, Duncan, sisters, Gail and PJ and his “damn dog” Spirit. Rick was predeceased by his mother, Mickey, this past year.

Rick was born in Biggar, SK and stayed there until the family relocated to Kamloops, BC in 1971 where he attended high school. The family was on the move again in 1974 when they relocated to Winnipeg. Although somewhat shy as a teenager, once Rick overcame this, there was no holding him back. He charmed almost everyone he met with his dynamic combination of sharp wit and warm heart. You always knew where you stood with Rick and if he teased you, he liked you. He loved and cared deeply for his family and was one very proud husband to Lee and grandfather to Brayden and Hudson.

Rick was employed by the Eastside Group, running the Thrifty Car Rental portion of the business at the time of his passing. Through Eastside and Thrifty, Rick touched many lives – usually with his special brand of humour (insert eye roll here).

The majority of people that knew Rick knew of his love of all things marine. Rick & Lee made tons of memories involving some type of boat (and he owned many)….and through boating, made many friends, namely in Winnipeg Beach at Boundary Creek Marina and most recently at Balsam Harbour. Rick just loved sharing this passion for boating with friends and family – whipping Amanda around on a tube, carefully getting Jon up on water skis or letting Brayden steer the jet boat last summer at the cottage to name a few.

Rick was also quite a techno-geek…he loved his gadgets. Technology and Rick got along quite nicely, and many of us would turn to Rick to solve our issues – could be to do with our phones, our computers or anything that thought it was smarter than you. Rick could fix it! In fact…Rick could fix anything…he was very talented with mechanical, plumbing and electrical “stuff”.

A service to celebrate the many happy and memorable moments of Rick’s life was held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at Thomson Funeral Home, 669 Broadway.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Manitoba Lung Association, 629 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3A 1P6.