With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Andy, on August 2, 2024, after a year long illness and a short sudden decline. Our joyful lad was friends to many, and part of an adoring extended family including his wife Deb, siblings Stephanie, Peter and Sandy (deceased), in- laws Ken (Lannie), Rod (Hazel), Liam (Heather), and Pam, step/adopted children Spencer, Jacqueline (Pelle), Owen (Shannon) and much-loved grandchildren Charlie, Freja, Farrah and Naia. Other members of his adopted Canadian family include Charlie and Leonard Mitchell, Callayna Jardey, and Nick and Kris Coats.
Andy was firstborn to Michael and Liz Wooldridge at RAF Abyad, Egypt, and raised in Birmingham and Hereford, England. He attended the Southampton College of Art and Design where his passion for painting initiated a lifelong career. He subsequently lived and exhibited in England, Israel and Australia before visiting BC in1984, and becoming a proud Canadian in 1987. Based in Victoria, he enjoyed a long and successful 40-year career as a professional painter, ever appreciative of doing the work he loved best.
Our Andy led a spirited, diverse and adventurous life. Beyond art, he loved music (Tom Waits, The Kinks and Shostakovich), fishing, murder mystery performing, English football (Up the Villa!) animals and stray humans. A volunteer for over 25 years at Victoria Hospice, he was fiercely devoted to family and friends and especially kind to those in need. He was opinionated about things that mattered but possessed a rapier wit that kept us laughing. To quote a close friend ‘Andy was bigger than life in every way. An outsized talent, great raconteur, and funny, he filled a room – but the biggest thing about him was his heart. He was generous, kind and loving. He leaves a huge hole’
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in Andy’s care; especially Drs’ Jennifer Lush, Nick Bosma, Jody Anderson and Douglas McGregor, HCCN Juliana and the kind nurses, counsellors and volunteers at Victoria Hospice and BC Cancer Clinic. You’ll never know how grateful we are.
Rest well dear one: you have loved deeply, and been deeply loved in return.
A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, September 7th, 2024, 2:00 pm in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Victoria Hospice or any animal rescue organization.
To view a recording of the service, please click the video below:
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
29 Responses
Andy was a great painting mentor and a fine artist. I think of him often when I’m in the studio at work. Love to Deb, family and friends.
I was so happy to have coffee with Andy on 2 occasions before he passed, we talked and laughed, life is always sweet and farewells hard for those who still remain. Sleep well dear fellow.
Condolences to Andy’s family on such a cruel loss. I took a course from Andy at Bank street years ago, and then discovered he was also a neighbour. Although I didn’t know him well, he made a very positive impression on me, and it was always a pleasure when we crossed paths and had brief occasional chats about art or life. He was unfailingly friendly, open, engaging, and also very human. I’m sure he brightened the lives of many.
All I can think of is that you were the one with the moustache…
I have early memories, photos on walls, mum carrying on about her brothers, pointing at faces, naming them for me, you were the one with the moustache who painted lots of forests in the mythical land of the north where it snowed… my Uncle Andrew
Was so very disappointing when upon finally meeting you some years later that you didn’t have a bloody moustache at all, in fact out of the three of mum’s brothers, you were the only one who didn’t wear a moustache at that!
The final words you spoke to me where “allow yourself to be happy, kid”…. I will.
Bless you, I love you so very dearly.
Zooz
X
My dearest cuz, words cannot be said. We grew up in a magical world, never to be again. Our childhood will never be seen to others, as the Wooldridge gang of Harborne, we were the best keepers of the allotments, scrumping, bird watching, having wonderful fun. Will miss our reminiscing deeply, as only a few of us left to remember. You were one of the privileged to call me Mazza, I will cherish that. Well I will say see ya later cuz, rest easy. PS, give the oldies a big hug and kiss from me, love ya lots
Dear Uncle Andy,
All heartbroken by this loss, Andy was a true original; kind, thoughtful, with a tremendous sense of humour. We will certainly miss his humorous takes on modern life. He was particularly supportive in times in need of our family. Clarat and blue to the core, my dad his brother always looked forward to his trans Atlantic breakdowns of Aston Villa’s latest disappointing performance.
Greatly missed!
Rest easy Uncel Andy (knobbo) xxxxxxx
The UK Wooldridge clan
Judi, Abbie, Hannah, Doug, Gary
Alana Skylar and Quinn
Hi Deb….I didn’t know your beloved Andy…[ I do know his Art …owned by friends…..]
All I know for sure…. he gave endless…love….joy…laughter to you every single day….. His unique art style has provided delight for many around the world who are lucky enough have a piece or two..hanging on their wall or walls
I’m so sorry Deb…… WHY???
Virginia/Ginnie Tucker
You had it all my friend, the industrial abstract I bought from you 20+ years has been the backstop of all portrait in my domain. It is timeless like your memory.
I have many fond memories of Andy, my painting teacher at the Victoria College of Art on Bank Street. He was a stand out instructor. Inventive, helpful, and always hilarious. Truly one of a kind. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Laurie Mackie Loen