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
To the Nuttall Family & Friends,
It is with deep sadness that we are writing to you.
Please accept our most sincere condolences, and our deepest sympathies at this very difficult time.
We did not know Andrew, however over the last little while we have begun to know the type of man, human being and Canadian that he represented (was). What a terrible loss of such a wonderful Canadian.
We as Canadians are grateful for Andrews service to his country and our families. It is proud & heroic Canadians like Andrew who keep us and this country safe.
Please believe me that his passing will not be in vain, and that we believe in what he was trying to accomplish in Afghanistan.
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Most Sincerely,
Ross & Susan Holloway
Saanich, B.C.
Dear Richard and Jane. We were greatly saddened to read of the tragic loss of your very brave and gifted son Andrew.
No parent should suffer the loss of a child under
any circumstances, but we hope you will find some comfort in knowing that Andrew died bravely defending our country and its values.
Our sympathies to you and your entire family.
Stan and Elizabeth Tick[Minden—Beulah Avenue]
Dear Nuttall Family
I will cherish the memory, a few short years old, when Andy, along with Patty and the CrossFit gang, introduced a whole new way of attaining physical fitness to my unit, The Royal Westminster Regiment. His spirit and drive were infectious, as in turn was our sense of service and duty… resulting in his enrolment. His legacy lives on as the CrossFit Program continues to improve the fitness and confidence of those soldiers, past, present and future who also wish to help make the world a better place.
On behalf of all Westies please accept my sincerest sympathy for your loss.
D.M. (Doug) Poitras
Lieutenant-Colonel
Commanding Officer
The Royal Westminster Regiment
While I did not know your son, I so appreciate what he was trying to do for the people in Afghanistan. May Andrew’s memory live on in your hearts and may you be comforted by the thoughts and prayers of his fellow Canadians who honour his commitment.
-Carol Toutant
To the Nuttal Family,
I am so very sorry to learn of the death of your son and brother, Andrew, while he was serving our country in Afganistan. From his photo I see a beautiful young man and from his actions I know his heart must have been full of kindness and courage. Your family is in my prayers.
Minna Aitken
retired from Mount St. Mary Hospital
To the family of Lieutenant Andrew Richard Nuttall
I read the notice about your beloved Andrew in The Globe of Saturday, January 2, 2010. It moved me. And these lines are to send my heart felt sympathy. You describe a wonderful human being. And the notice reveals your beliefs and values in these words: “He was protecting the most vulnerable of the world. He … [was] reaching out … to make a positive change in this small global village of ours.” Thank goodness there are people like your Andrew and the family who raised him to hold such values.
Just now I am editing the letters of my grandfather from the front of the first world war. He did not come home like your Andrew. I wish you all the strength necessary, strength which will also come from your family and friends. Your Andrew will live forever.
Respectfully, Sabine Bunten
Tears of Joy, this sad, sad day
Our brave soldier is on His way.
He rests in peace at God’s side
Waiting for his Friend’s to arrive.
Life well lived, to the fullest
Chasing dreams so far away
Time to rest, you’ve done your deed
We shall soldier on , its our creed.
Dear Rick and Jane and Family,
Margi and I send you our deepest sympathy on the loss of your very dear son, Andrew. We cannot imagine the nature of your feelings but do appreciate the depth of pride you expressed in the Globe’s obituary. We never met Andrew but we owe him and his colleagues a dept of gratitude on behalf of all Canadians who value the quality of our lives in this precious country. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Brian and Margi Hennen
We offer our heartfelt sympathy on your profound loss.
Andy was a dear friend and brother-in-arms of our son, Bryce. We had the privilege of meeting Andy when he attended Bryce & Laura’s wedding last June.
Bryce & Andy shared many experiences during officer’s training, their posting to 1st Battalion 1PPCLI in Edmonton and most recently their deployment to Afghanistan. Bryce was honored to carry Andy’s coffin at the ramp ceremony in Kandahar.
May God’s abiding love and the ongoing support of family, friends and caring Canadians uphold you.
Although I am a total stranger to you and your family, I felt compelled to let you know that the loss of Andrew is something that may seem to go unnoticed but is indeed mourned by every caring Canadian from coast to coast to coast. I have a 30 year old daughter and I can’t imagine the pain that you must be feeling. Maybe there will be some solice for your family and friends in knowing that your son had the courage of his convictions to do what he believed so strongly in and that he dared to tread where others often fear to go. You clearly brought him up as an outstanding young man. I hope his glorious memory will help you as you attempt to come to terms with his tragic loss.