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
Richard, Jane and John… although it has been many years since West Bay School – we still remember you ( friends of ours now live in your old house) – and the many happy hours our boys all played together – John, Philip and Alan… shadowing Andrew and his older friends, through the forests of West Bay School, the very memorable cub camps, and so much more…
We just wanted to let you know we are thinking of you during this difficult time and send our love and thoughts. We remember your golden boy and honour his sacrifice …and offer what little we can with our thoughts and prayers for you.
with loving thoughts Carina and David Ayriss West Vancouver
Rest easy, Hero, knowing that your selfless sacrifice helped make this world a little better. You will never be forgotten.
My deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Lt. Nuttall, there are no words to ease your pain, my heart aches for you on the loss of your son. Your son is a HERO and gave the ultimate sacrfice his life to keep us safe. God Bless him for that. To you his parents you also gave the ultimate sacrfic your son, and he will never be forgotten. My son was KIA Sept. 3 08 Cpl. MIke Seggie age 21 i know there is nothing anyone can say to ease your pain, just know that you are in our thughts and prayers.
Be proud of what you son did and hold the memories in your heart forever.
God grant you the strenght to get through the days ahead, stay strong
Rip HERO
Dear Rick, Jane and John,
We are deeply saddened to learn of Andrew’s death. Our hearts go out to you at this most difficult time. You have been in our prayers.
We knew Andrew best when he was a real team player in soccer and an eager, curious cub scout. Gene remembers one special time during and evening scout outing in the snow up at Cypress Mountain. Andrew threw himself into the snow fights and played himself out. His smiles and pleasure of that night were infectious. His sincerity and goals to do the right thing were apparent then. These are the memories of Andrew that we will keep in our hearts.
With our deepest sympathies,
Gene and Sharon Quan
Dear Dr. Nuttall and family,
My heartfelt empathy and compassion are with you and your family in your deep grief and tragic loss of your courageous caring son Andrew on a battlefield far from home. He was an exceptionally fine young man in the service of a higher good for all humanity, just as unselfishly as you and your wife Jane also give so often for the wellbeing of others, both here and far from home.
With sincerest sympathy, sadness, and appreciation,
Margaret Jacobson
Please accept my condolences and know that your loss is felt by all members of the Paticias family. I attended with the President of the Kingston Branch on Monday at the Repatriation and was moved by the demonstrations of support by the large turnout of your family and close friends and for the first time saw the large number of people from Trenton who showed up outside the gates. Reading the information posted about Andrew tells me that his passing will be a great loss to the Patricias and to his country. Our hearts are with you as you face this sad loss.
Dear Richard, Jane and John along with extended family,
we were very saddened to hear about Andys tragic passing. Our deepest condolences and prayers are with you at this difficult time. What Andy was doing was a very selfless and brave act of true courage to lead his troops in battle. Andys terrific smile would lighten a room instantly, clearly he was a bright light and very talented man. Canada has lost a true hero.
Our Love Always,
Michael & Beth Davies
Dear Jane, Richard & John
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. We are so sorry to hear of your great loss. Andrew is a son and brother of whom you can be very proud.
Arlene,Gord,Kyle,Krista & Jennifer
To The Nuttall Family:
On behalf of Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) Vancouver, please accept our condolences for the loss of your brave son in the service of our nation.
Canada is proud of Andrew’s accomplishements and weeps at his departure.
We shall remember.
Jim Stanton, President
RUSI Vancouver
We do not know you, or had the pleasure of knowing your son Andrew. But reading todays obituary of his accomplished young life, feeling your pride and deep loss, we feel compelled to reach out to say: we are so proud of him too, of how well he and others represent our country and its values. Like so many other Canadians, we mourn this and all other losses of our fine military people. We are thinking of you.