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
Thanks for all those great times we had, brother, and for never giving up on me back in the days of yore. Know that everyone whose lives you touched were and are among the very blessed.
Andy had a heart of gold . He loved life and he lived it to the fullest. He told me he had no regrets and he had done everything he wanted to do . Andy was so kind to a mutual friend , Richard Hales ,who suffered from dementia after a stroke . When all friends had abandoned Dick , Andy stuck by him . I was so thankful that Andy was such a dear friend . Say hi to Dick for me, Andy, and give all our Airedales a huge hug for me .
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Memories bigger than life …
Oh how I miss you dearest of friend.
We will all dance along the train-tracks again, and sing loudly… it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
My dearest condolences to Deb and all of Andy’s family & friends.
https://youtu.be/YIjN9vyDGEM?si=nsBI0lX4gPMVxMFi
So sorry to hear this news Deb. Andy was such a gifted person in so many ways. Dayle and I appreciated his humor and good nature. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
So many fond memories Andy. We were the “Wooldridge Clan “ growing up as kids in Harborne. UK. We all went our separate ways, but we will meet again someday. Miss you my cousin Andy, ❤️ you .
Our sincere condolences. We enjoyed having Andy as a neighbour. He will be missed.
Barbara and Doug Newton
Now the moth has joined the butterflies and dragonflies. I can only imagine cuz.
‘Til next time xx
catch ya later cuz plenty of cowboys and Indians left in us. till we meet again love ya like a brother cuz Ed
Deb and family.
Our heartfelt condolences on Andy’s passing..
I was fortunate to see him about a month ago and he had reached a rare and enviable equilibrium felling that he had had a fulfilling life.
With our sympathy,
Your neighbours Mike and Jan
We are heartbroken to say goodbye to Andy. An extremely talented artist and wonderful person to deal with, he will never be forgotten. We have always valued him as our gallery artist and are truly proud to represent his estate at Kurbatoff Gallery.