Andrew Thomas Woods

After 87 years of independent living Andrew passed away peacefully at St. Paul’s hospital in Vancouver, B.C. He is survived by his son Martin, daughter in law Trish, and his grandchildren Andrew, Jenna, and Kori. He was predeceased by his wife Gwen in 2007 and his daughter Julie in 1985.

Andrew was born in Walsall England where he grew up learning to be a gentleman from his mother Anne and father George. When WWII broke out, he began service to his country, first as a volunteer ambulance driver, then joining the Army in 1942 with the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers Branch.

He served in India (IEME), then Italy and was demobilized in 1947. After marrying Gwen in 1950, the couple immigrated to Canada in 1953, settling in Edmonton, AB. Within a few short years, Andrew had joined Cronkhite Supply, the Company he worked diligently for, transferring to Vancouver in 1975, and retiring in 1985. Andrew immediately went to Vancouver Community College (Langara Campus) following his belief that learning never stopped. He was awarded his degree in diploma in Fine Arts in 1987. Andrew demonstrated to all who knew him, the art of respecting others, hard work and living by your principles. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of meeting him.

Special thanks to the medical staff at St Paul’s Hospital PD unit, whose expertise, ethics and hard work were key in maintaining Andrews’s quality of life until his passing. Donations in Andrew’s name can be made to the St Paul’s Hospital Peritoneal Dialysis unit through www.helpstpauls.com .

Andrew will be remembered at a private family service in West Vancouver the week of April 11th, 2011.