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
How can we ever express our thanks and our sorrow at the loss of your beautiful son who gave his life for others and for this great country. You must be very proud of him and we know how much he was loved by you and your family. From the bottom of our hearts we say thank you to your son for his bravery, for his aspirations and for doing what he believed in – few people accomplish what he has in his short life. Our hearts go out to you in your loss and know that there are millions of Canadians who are proud and so very thankful for the contributions of your son. May he be watching over you and know that he is appreciated beyond words and that a whole Nation offers their sympathy to you. As a Mother I cannot comprehend how you are coping with his loss, but I hope that you know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you Andy!
Sue and Tony Arnold
I would like to offer my condolences to the family members and friends of Andrew. As a parent of a son who is the same age as Andrew, I was moved by your son’s dedication to want to make a meaningful contribution.I believet your son’s courage provides inspiration to other young people in Canada to be purposeful in their lives.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Brian Quigg
Dearest Dr. Nuttall(slim) and Mrs. Nuttall,
My deepest condolences to you and your family.You must be very proud of Andrew and all he has accomplished in his short life. May God bless and keep him,and you and your family in these darkest of times.
With my deepest sympathy,
Renee Graham and family.
To the Nuttall Family
The loss of your dear, dear son affected our family immeasurably. Andy was an army colleague of our son Andrew, having trained together in Gagetown, NB. We had the enormous pleasure to meet Andy a couple of times when he came to our house at Lawrencetown Beach in Nova Scotia to go surfing. He was the finest of human beings. They don’t come any better. When our Andrew heard the news later on that fateful day, he was absolutely devastated. We all were. Many tears were shed in our household as indeed they were across the country. Our hearts ache for you and hope you will somehow find your way through this most difficult period.
To the Nuttall Family;
While I don’t know your family, I can only grasp how you are feeling right now. Every time I hear about another Canadian soldier lost in Afghanistan, I cringe to think about how the familys are met by military personnel, to be told about their lost loved one. I think Andrew’s death was particularly emotional because he is a local boy, from home, close to home. I don’t say that to dimish the losses of other lives, but this is so close to home, it seems to hurt more.
Thank you, Andrew, for truly showing us what it means to be Canadian; I admire your bravery to go over to Afghanistan and to do what is right. Words cannot express how sorry I am about your passing. As I write this tears are streaming down my face, because I cannot comprehend how your life and your family’s lives have now changed. I am incredibly thankful for all the brave men and women who deploy overseas — the sacrifices you make on behalf of all Canadians makes us forever indebted to you.
My best wishes to the entire Nuttall family.
Please accept my deepest sympathy for the tragic loss of Andrew Nuttall. He was clearly an individual who made a significant impact on those around him and lost his life making a struggling country a better place to live.
This is a sad loss.
Jim Tayler
Ottawa
My sincerest condolences to Dr. Richard Nuttall, your wife Jane, and cherished brother John, on the tragic loss of your beloved son/brother Lt. Andrew Richard Nuttall, taken all too soon.
Andrew was loving. vibrant, energetic and most promising to succeed in life, & in aiding those in need to rebuild their lives.
He travelled his own path in what he truly believed.
Andrew lived life to the fullest, & encouraged others to do so.
Canada mourns the loss of its young men and women who have sacrificed their lives in battle. We shall remember them.
With Deepest Sympathy………….I. Anne Fedora
Dear Richard, Jane and John,
Without the courage of people like Andrew there would be no defence for the most vulnerable of the world. He is a hero.
I am ex-navy and my heart breaks whenever a fellow enlistee passes. With a heavy heart I offer you my thanks for giving us people like your son/brother/friend Andrew to do what many others do not have the passion or ability to do.
Andrews friends, Joel, and I are football buddies and he asked me to have a beer for him and Andrew, and make a toast to him. I have every intention of doing just that tonight, prior to the Jets game. I will speak to what Andrew did for us and for those less able to fight for themselves. He is a hero. Hold your heads high and know that we all full of love and appreciation for what Andrew and you, his family, have sacrificed.
Thank you.
We do not know your family but we send our condolences. We share your loss in his death and your pride in his accomplishments. He will be remembered.
Brent and Heather Harlton