On August 28, 1955 the world greeted a little boy, whose infectious and robust laugh would become one of the defining features of this caring, kind and generous man. If you were throwing a party, playing cards or merely laying on the dock on a warm summer’s day, he was the consummate host or guest, and one you could rely upon to fill the space with joy and that great, deep, booming laughter which resonated within your soul.
Andrej was born and raised in Toronto, by his parents Peter and Marija, who instilled a sense of honour, dignity and the importance of family and community in their son. He was a baby brother for Carmen and Peter, and the three of them developed a close knit bond which resulted in many mutual friends, many shared Slovenian dinner dance experiences and many family travel adventures. They were firmly rooted in the Slovenian community, and Andrej’s commitment to this “family” continued up to his death. He generously shared of his time and professional expertise to help those in need, and spent many evenings out visiting, and providing companionship to any one of his senior “girlfriends”. Linda was never jealous of these liaisons, but rather, marvelled at how Andy was able to find the time to sit and chat with these wonderful octogenarians. But that’s just who Andy was. And that’s just what he did. He had time for people. He was also selfless in offering his support to the young people who crossed his path and took pleasure in listening to their stories and helping them find their way in life.
One of the first life altering moments in Andrej’s life, was when he met Linda – his soul mate. They were two people who were so different, but whose differences complemented one another. They were each a better person because of the relationship. Linda and Andy were married in 1981, with a wedding ceremony that would mark the essence of their union of 36 years. It was deep, sincere, simple and pure. It wasn’t about pomp and ceremony, it was about love, inclusion, meaning and joy, and it was shared with their family and friends. It was their trademark for all that would follow.
In his early twenties, Andy’s love of the outdoors, a good party and the company of friends, led to the communal purchase of an old cottage on Sunny Lake in Muskoka. “The Three Amigos” and “Three More Amigos”, and later, “Senor Amigo”, plus various other friends and family, would spend years together at this beautiful retreat. Over time, the old cottage was torn down and a new cottage was built, and each year a new project was taken on. The project always involved a week of the guys gathering for some hands-on construction time in October, generously fuelled by whiskey, beer and campfires. Being sensible, there was no alcohol allowed until the end of the day when the last saw had been turned off and the last nail had been hammered.
Andy loved to build and usually had a few active jobs on the go. None of his own builds ever really came to completion, as he would put them on hold to grab his crowbar and tool belt so he could go help someone else build a deck, install a kitchen or tear up a patio.
This joy of construction was uncovered during his time at law school. It costs money to become a lawyer, and Andrej discovered there was money to be made in the home renovation market that could help support him through his studies. All the hammering, being outdoors and working with friends probably helped relieve some of the stress of law school. The fun he had building, repairing and renovating never left him. He was actually up re-shingling the roof of the house when the singing telegram arrived telling him he was to become a father. Fortunately, he did not fall off the roof when he heard the news.
And so Sonia entered their lives. This was a whole new experience for Linda and Andy and one which they loved and embraced. And so they did it again, and this time James added his laughter to their home. Andy was the perfect father – warm, caring, nurturing and supportive. In addition to time spent at skating lessons, baseball practice, school events and church, he spent individual time with both Sonia and James, hiking, traveling, shopping and building. The kids loved this special one-on-one time that they got to share with their dad and these annual traditions were shared right up to Andrej’s death.
Life was busy. Work could be all-consuming. But Andy knew the value of down time, and over the years, he and Linda travelled the world. Their first trip to Europe, which involved little more than sleeping bags, wine and baguettes, evolved into more comfortable and exotic vacations. You might find them on the beach in the Caribbean, on a sheep farm in New Zealand, cycling through a mountain town in Slovenia or exploring the harbours of Newfoundland. They cherished their time together, and the new friends they met or new discoveries they made. Andy’s curiosity to experience and learn from each adventure created a treasure chest of special memories.
But it was the special people in his life that provided Andrej with his most cherished memories. He was connected in so many ways to so many people. Clients became friends, friends became family, and family always took precedence. One of his greatest joys was having people come together to share a meal, celebrate a special life event, indulge in an evening of games and laughter, or twirl around during a good polka. In their desire to create more opportunities for this to happen, Andrej and Linda embarked on their latest project. Last year, they purchased the lot adjacent to the cottage they co-owned with Andy’s brother Pete and his family. This new cottage was Linda and Andy’s dream. A quiet place on a peaceful lake where they could go to recharge, entertain family and friends, listen to the loons and, at some point, spend extended periods of time contemplating nothing more than the beauty of a life well lived. The construction is not yet complete, but Andy’s heart and soul will always be the foundation of this retreat.
Andrej drew great strength from his faith and he also believed in the power of community and the strength it has in holding us up when we need support. He died accepting that the world was unfolding as it should, and peaceful in the knowledge that his faith and community were there for both him and his family. After an earthly life of compassion, integrity, selflessness and laughter, I’m sure St. Peter was quick to open his gate for Andrej to enter and find his new community.
