10-07 Andrew

Andrew was born January 13, 1971 and is the oldest of Robert's three children. My earliest memory of Andrew is as a child of about four, jumping off a diving board in a Miami pool with all the people cheering him on. We called him the “Amazing Andrew”.
It was obvious as both Andrew and Angie were growing up, that they were very athletic. Robert has the physique of his grandfather Halter, who was a physical education instructor in WW1 and mother the same in WW2, but the superb coordination obviously comes from Jane's Dad, who was a pitcher playing for the Washington Senators in the American league. There is a sign posted in Strathroy in his honour.
Andrew did a lot of skiing on the west coast and was a friend of Michael Trudeau, the youngest son of Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who was killed in an avalanche. He has memories of Michael’s mother bringing them a camper that they drove to Pemberton together.
Andrew sent me a great shot of his wife Elizabeth when they were on holidays in Jamaica. They met on a blind date.
Love the family shot of Elizabeth with Andrew, Navy and James. Now that is a wonderful family memory. These chapters are for the future, and hopefully when these young people are adults, they will love these memories.
Often when the Fidlers were visiting Robert and Jane from Strathroy, Mary and I would visit at their home on Fairy Lake. Mr. Fidler was six foot five, with the same large build as our own father. Love the photo of them with Jane and Polly, all enjoying a pineapple drink in the Fidler's back yard.
When mother died in 2007, Andrew helped me sell her condo, and I told him he would be very successful in real estate. He had the same self-confidence that Robert had as a successful salesman and McDonald’s franchisee.
But how about young Andrew, and his awards as both an Ontario and National ski champion. Just imagine. Double Gold at the Canadian National Championships.
We all wish young Andrew success as he grows up into adulthood. The whole family will be watching his future with pride.
I played a lot of different sports during my high school and university years. And the memories have lasted a lifetime. There are things you learn in competitive sports that you never learn in academia. Young Andrew has a lifetime of memories ahead of him.
And how about a photo of Andrew himself with his three children. This is what families are all about.