We Remember
NYKILCHUK, Andrew John Jr
—
On May 9, 2016 Andy passed away surrounded by loved ones at Hospice House in Kelowna. Born in England in 1943, Andy was one of thousands of war time babies born to Canadian soldiers and their English wives while stationed in there in WW2. Growing up in Edmonton Alberta, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in the early 60s and earned an overseas posting to 4 (F) Wing, RCAF Station Baden-Soellingen, Germany and subsequently to 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta. Leaving the RCAF, he then served with the City of Edmonton Police Department in the early 70s.
A keen storyteller, some of Andy’s favourite tales from his police time was when he provided security for the Pope’s visit, saved a man’s life doing CPR, the many policeman’s parties BBQing on the deck in the middle of Edmonton winter, and from the air force days, organizing the base parties with kegs upon kegs of beer by the riverside.
His love of telling tall tales went with his passion for entertaining with elaborate food and drink, some of which was a bit experimental. After their mother was hospitalized for a short time and Andy was left to cook for his three young children, they begged their mother to never get ill again. But in later years, with a few cookery courses, dinners became an event with printed menus and little handmade flags to indicate the homemade dips on offer.
For the last two years of his life, Andy was joined on his travels by his partner in love Brenda, and many new and happy stories were created with trips to the UK, Ireland and Arizona. He is survived by his sons Patrick (Crystal), Bryan (Michelle), daughter Teresa, their mother Marie and three grandsons: Justin, Adam and Jake. He was predeceased by his mother Joyce, and survived by the rest of his Alberta based family, father Andrew Sr, sisters Diane Colby (Bruce), Deb King (Chris) and brother Martin.
A celebration of life to remember Andy will be held on Saturday, June 11 2016 from 4pm. Email celebrationforandynykilchuk@gmail.com to RSVP or share condolences.
For those wishing to send a condolence, photos or share memories, may do so by scrolling down this page to the area called “Share Your Condolences”.
Service
Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Location
email for information celebrationforandynykilchuk@gmail.com
Andrew made my life a celebration each and every day. For the past 2 years we lived outside the box. We supported our joy and happiness at having found harmonious love with poems, gifts, flowers and numerous practical jokes. All of this material was becoming part of a ‘travelling road show’ we imagined we’d share with others someday. Our friends and families witnessed the transformation we brought to each other’s personalities.
Love was the fuel for Andy’s ending story. It is the fuel I draw upon now as I walk forward.
ANDY I MISS YOU!
Your partner, best friend,and lover into forever
Brenda
I had the pleasure of getting to know Andy the past couple of years! I loved going to their house for amazing gourmet family dinners and always being welcomed with his friendly genuine hug! I will always miss his story’s of his travels and all the memories he made with Brenda in the past two years! Their love is something I will always look up to and cherish!
You will always be missed and remembered by us!
Love Cory Brandi Jada and Taylor!❤️
We want to say how very much we appreciated having Andy in our lives. Although it was a short time, Andrew made a huge positive impression on all of us. His grand dinners complete with printed menus complimented Andy’s strive for excellence.
Andy’s motto was “if a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well.” We will miss his joyful spirit and the happiness he brought our mom. We are grateful to have known him.
-With love the Montemurros & the McLennans