June 27, 1979 – December 23, 2009
It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our dearest, most beloved Andrew, ‘Andy’,‘Drew’, ‘Nutts’, at age 30. He died suddenly and tragically leading his platoon of military brothers of the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (1PPCLI) in Panjwayi District, Afghanistan.
Born in Prince Rupert, BC, he moved shortly after to Edmonton, and from there to West Vancouver where he attended West Bay Elementary School and made many lifelong friends through school, soccer, and Cubs.
He completed grades 6, 7, and 8, at St Patrick’s School, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Here he was introduced to hockey, which became a loved activity. Fun in air cadets, scouts and sports took him across the north and sparked his sense of adventure.
Andrew’s high school days were spent in Regina, Saskatchewan, at Campbell Collegiate. He spoke of his high school years in choir, hockey and basketball as ‘the best’.
In 1997, he moved with his family to Victoria, and began studies in Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of Victoria. At UVic, he lived life to the fullest, working at the university radio station, and taking up surfing, snowboarding, hiking, camping, travelling and cherishing time with good friends. Work experiences were mainly in the computer field, including assisting in the family business.
In 2006, his passion for fitness led him to join Crossfit Vancouver as a trainer. Here he met many people in the military whom he liked, and soon saw that a career in that direction would focus many of his skills and interests.
He joined the military in March, 2007, and was overjoyed at the opportunity to join the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia Light Infantry (1PPCLI) in Edmonton.
This beautiful man was characterized by an easy, selfless, outgoing, generous and loving personality. He was always ready to help his fellow man, debate world issues, support family and friends. He touched the lives of many in his all too short years.
Andrew did not die in vain. He was protecting the most vulnerable of the world. He, along with a tough, educated, well trained group of men and women, were reaching out every hour, in everything they did, to make a positive change in this small global village of ours; to open the realm of possibilities for a safe and better life for everyone. He made the ultimate sacrifice to demonstrate these Canadian values – his values.
‘Imagine there’s no borders…’ He imagined a better world, and walked out into life to make a change, no matter how small or large, whether with friends around a table in Canada or in full fatigues working with an Afghan villager.
With energy and enthusiasm he always said “Live life to the fullest!”
Go into that good night Andrew- into the arms of God and those who have gone before and loved you dearly.
Our warmest thanks from the family go out to friends, the military family and the Canadian people who reached out to our grieving hearts with their prayers, their care, and their thanks for Andrew’s sacrifice in the work of his country. We wish to thank most especially Lt. Greg O’Neill and Lt. Mike Yung of 1st Battalion PPCLI, Edmonton, and Major Padre John Steele of Victoria for their support at this time of loss.
He was predeceased by grandparents, James and Margaret (nee Walsh) Nuttall; George Pickering and Patricia (nee Kells) Pickering; and Uncle James Nuttall.
He leaves proud parents, Richard and Jane (nee Pickering); his cherished brother John; Aunts and Uncles, Marylan Nuttall , Linda and Peter Lazier, Susan and John Baran, George Pickering , Helene Lamontagne, and Judith Davies; and cousins, Jim Nuttall (Kelly, James, Michael), Cathy Manion (Michael, Grace), Julie Gauvin ( Stephane, Anna, Will, Jake), Sarah Welstead ( Max Stocker), Suzanne Welstead ( Shelley Adams), Marc , Julie , Patrick Pickering, Meredith , Lindsay and Stephanie Davies.
The public may pay their respects to Andrew at McCALL BROS. FLORAL CHAPEL, Johnson and Vancouver Streets on Sunday, January 3, 2010 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
A Funeral Service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, Quadra at Courtney Street on Monday, January 4, 2010 at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow at Royal Oak Burial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Andrew’s name to: Plan International Canada to which he contributed for years, For The Love of Africa Society which he followed closely, the Canadian Forces Military Families Fund, or other humanitarian aid agencies within Canada.
102 Responses
Dear Dr. Nuttall and family: After reading the obituary of your son, Andrew, I am even more touched by his sacrifice for us all. What a fine young man who has left a wonderful legacy. You may indeed be proud of him.
I can’t image how you must feel to loose a son in war, fighting for our freedom. I can imagine that every phone call you got you were afraid that something had happen to Andrew. It always breaks my heart every time I hear a soldier was killed. They are all such brave man and woman. He as well as you are in my prayers and let us hope it was all not in vain. That this brutal war might come to an end soon. Gone too soon.
They never can be forgotten.
Anne Jacobs
To Andrew who gave of the ultimate sacrifice for the betterment of others, my heartfelt gratitude. To the parents and family who have lost their brave and wonderful son and friend, condolences at the immense loss of this wonderful man. May you be comforted in knowing his life will be forever remembered for the good he sacrificed his life to.
Richard, Jane and family;
We offer our deepest condolences. We are, as, I am sure are you, immensely proud of Andrew and the ultimate sacrifice he has paid on behalf of all Canadians to protect our deepest and essential values.
I am certain you will keep forever close to your hearts the precious memory of Andrew and the other courageous fallen Canadians who have given their lives on our behalf.
We will never forget!
Stephen, Karen, Tim, Dan and Luke Holland
My heart aches for you and your family. The loss of such a fine young man as Andrew is a intense blow for our country and for this community he called home. The values he demonstrated are the best Canada has to offer the world. I hope you will find some solace in knowing the sacrifice made is greatly appreciated and that his life was an inspiration.
To the Nuttall Family,
Our hearts go out to you and your family on the loss of your son Andrew. We too have a son, Andrew, who is serving as a legal officer with Judge Advocate General in Kandahar. As parents, we do not raise our children to be placed in harm’s way. Yet these brave young people willingly serve their country and profession with honour and dignity knowing full well the dangers they face.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
To the family of Lt. Andrew Richard Nuttall: I would like to convey my sincerest sympathies to you on the tragic loss of your lovely son, Andrew. I am the mother of a Canadian Forces soldier from CFB Petawawa, with the Royal Canadian Dragoons. My son was severely injured in an IED explosion in November, and I was fortunate that he was brought home to me to recover. I cannot help but share in the sadness that you are experiencing, and I want you to know that so many of us share in this loss. Your son has a long and impressive resume, and he sacrificed his life doing something that was for the greater good. I know you must be extremely proud, even in your deep grief. Please know that the prayers of a family of kindred souls are with you now, hoping and praying that you will find peace in this very difficult time. God Bless you all.
To: Richard and Jane Nuttall family
Please accept my sincerest and heartfelt condolances on the loss of Andrew. Andrew has paid the ultimate price for his service to Canada and his sacrifice has made it a better world and made me feel very proud of Canada and of being a Canadian.
I pray that you will find comfort in the knowledge that Andrew died a true hero.
We wish to express our admiration for your sons courage and committment to making our world a better place for all. It is with sadness we read of his passing and the loss of his fallen comrades. We did not know these men but each time we are greeted with the news of the loss of one of “our” soldiers it is felt with great sadness. and heartfelt sympathy for those they left to grieve their passing. You as a famly are held in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
Jane and Barry Young
Ontario
We send you our heartfelt condolences at the loss of your son. Words can not explain our sadness. Our thougths and prayers are with your family always. Andrew’s memory will always be in the hearts of those who loved him and those whom he touched.
Our son Pte. Daniel Heigh served under Andrew’s leadership during the same deployment. He was very fortunate to to have been under his leadership and was deeply upset over Andrew’s death.
We will always remember Andrew in our hearts and will remember your family in our prayers everyday.