Harry Tedford Gee Andrews (Ted)
Chief Judge, Ontario Provincial Court (Family Division) (retired)


Surrounded by his “angels”, with his beloved wife and Irish Wolfhounds at his side, Ted passed gently into that good night on Aug. 1st, 2018. Ted is survived by his partner/wife of 44 years, Judith P. Ryan, sister, Patricia (age 100 years), two sons, Jim (wife Theresa) and Rob, granddaughter, Shannon, and “adopted” son Steve Cheeseman. He was predeceased by his parents, Rev. T.F.W.G. and Erma Andrews, and sister, Joyce.
Ted left behind a legacy of over 40 years with the Family Courts of Ontario, and many long-time, close friends and colleagues, too numerous to mention. Ted was a beloved and highly respected jurist whose vision for the delivery of family justice services in this province served as a model of excellence, compassion and fairness which has been emulated throughout the world. Ted’s adventurous nature, generosity of spirit, kind-heartedness and respect for others was legendary.
Ted was named Chief Judge of the Family Courts of Ontario at the youthful age of 42 years, and served in that capacity for some 22 years. As Chief Judge, he instituted many important advances, including court-based mediation services and specialized judicial education for family court judges. He also spearheaded the development of the Unified Family Courts in Ontario. His mission was to make the family courts more accessible and user-friendly for those who needed its services. At his retirement, Ted was the longest standing judge at any level of court across Canada, having served a total of 42 years.
Outside the courtroom, Ted and Judi shared their love of the outdoors – white-water canoeing and camping on some of Canada’s finest rivers in the summers (including one month on the Nahanni River) and powder skiing in Europe and Vail, Colorado during the winters. In his ‘50’s, Ted achieved his black belt in karate. He also taught karate at the National Ballet School and McGill club.
Ted was a man of many talents. He was a poet, a pianist and a handyman (he built an island cottage in Parry Sound which he visited the last weekend of his life). Together, he and Judi were “news junkies”. They also enjoyed travelling and visited many countries around the world. Ted will be sorely missed by those with whom he came in contact on those voyages.
A private cremation, Irish wake and “Viking” funeral in Ireland will be followed by a formal service at Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto ON M4T 2V8 on Sept. 29th, 2018. Visitation from 10 to 12 noon. Service at noon, followed by interment in the family plot, and luncheon to which all attendees are invited. Judges are asked to bring their robes and to sit together in solidarity with Ted. Donations to Zachary’s Paws, an organization that unites dying persons with their beloved pets, would be greatly appreciated. (www.zacharyspawsforhealing.com)