Andrew- best known as Dad, Andy, Tredders, Uncle Andrew and Granddad. Much loved husband of Lynda, wonderful father to Kellie and Ben and adored by his grandchildren Sebastian, Xavier and Tabitha.
Born in Birmingham in the Midlands in the UK, he married Lynda, they soon farwelled family (his sister Margaret and parents Bill and Lilian) and embarked on a ship as 'ten pound poms' for Victoria Australia and arrived in Melbourne 1st Dec 1969. Andy and Lynda soon met other English immgrants and made some life long friends Barb and Brian, they later formed a crew which were nicknamed 'Rent a crowd' who became surrogate Aussie family. Andy quickly embraced the Aussie lifestyle and became a true Aussie larakin! He was well known for his humour, jokes and laid back personality. He came to love Aussie comedians like Paul Hogan and for those of you that know him well he has that great personal story of 'that's not a knife, this is a knife', and had a sign painted on the back of his trailer in big letters 'Leo Wanker'!
He was a hardworking bricklayer and as far as we know still holds the local record for the largest number of bricks laid in a day. He built their first owned home in Tyabb around 45 years ago and it still remains the much loved family home. The grandkids even lived there for many years and have the best memories of time spend in the shed making things, doing taxidermy and working on projects. When Kellie and Ben were younger he built a swimming pool that so many of the local kids used to enjoy on a hot summers day. He made a billy cart that kids in the street had so much fun whizzing down the Craig Ave hill on.
Andy was a community minded man and was part of the Apex and Loins Clubs. He served for many years as a volunteer fire fighter for Tyabb Fire Brigade in the days where you would have to listen out for the load siren from the station, he was so quick at putting on his overalls and racing to get on the truck. Later in life he became a member and was president for some time of the Hastings Historical Society. He loved talking to the school groups and visitors and keeping the local history remembered.
Andy loved the outdoors, bush and the water, he had many great memories of camping at Metung, fishing trips to Port Albert, visiting his family/ friends on the farm in New Zealand. He was a great dad and many kids loved Andy for his teachings of the outdoors- picking wild mushrooms, catching eels and yabbies, night spot light fishing at Metung with Uncle Brian and the kids in the orange canoe. He knew a lot about 'Bush Tucker'. He wasn't afraid of nature, he would pick up huntsman spiders in his bare hands, kill snakes, and rescue wildlife. He got stung by a swarm of wasps on his face and had many an attack by a midgee at Port Albert. He loved his animals, he had two german shepards Lassie and Rusty that went to work with him every day in the Sandman panel van and later in his station wagon. Desy was originally Bens dog but she loved Andy and went with him everywhere sitting like a human in the front seat, they were partners in crime for a long time.
He loved to cook and was a bloody good one, he taught the kids and the grandkids how to cook and his famous special fried rice with extra chineese sausage will be so missed, no one can cook it the same or as good. He had a love of food in general, his favourite foods were seafood which he liked to catch and cook, olives, pork pies, black pudding, chip buttys and he would always order a Marinara pizza from La Lupa Tyabb.
Andy loved a bit of quiet time (and a sneaky can of beer) he was often spotted at some of his favourite places being the Hastings boat ramp, secret beach or the Tyabb oval, locals would see him, pull over next to him and have a chin wag. He knew a lot of people and he very much loved for his 'no bullshit' attitude, he said what he meant and didn't care what others thought of him, he was comfortable in his own skin. Surprisingly as he was such a 'bloke' he was a very spiritual man and had many conversations with family friends and grandkids about spirituality. He didnt like too much fuss though, he was adamant that he did not want a funeral, in his words ' I dont want any of that shit'. Friends that know him well know that sounds just like Andy.
Dad, Granddad, Andy, Tredders, Uncle Andrew, we thank you for everything that you have done for your family and friends over the years, your love and support, your jokes and humour, we are going to miss you so much xxx
