Our hearts filled with gratitude, we say goodbye to a gentle soul whose kind and steady presence will live on in the hearts and memories of family and friends. On July 25, 2024, Andrejs (Andy) Briedis passed into eternity, where he is welcomed by his mother Emīlija Briede (Midega), his father Augusts Briedis, his wife Anna Briede (Pūce) and older brother Jānis Briedis with his family.

Born on April 13, 1934, in Riga, Latvia, Andrejs spent his childhood days on the family farm ‘Jaunvītagas’ in the Straupe Parish of Latvia near Cēsis, where his strong work ethic and deep love for nature blossomed. With an unwavering devotion to their homeland, Andrejs’ family fled during the Second World War through Germany to Canada.

Throughout his life Andrejs was an active and dedicated member of the Latvian community in Toronto. His good-natured yet quiet personality coupled with his steadfast, hard-working nature meant that he could always be found offering a helping hand and ‘behind-the-scenes’ support just about wherever it was needed.

Andrejs truly enjoyed celebrating his Latvian identity by singing with the Saint Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran Latvian church choir and dancing with the Latvian folkdance group Diždancis in its formative years. He could be most often found working backstage in Latvian theater productions on set design and as part of the technical crew.

Andrejs’ precise, detail-oriented character served him well in his career as a design draftsman for Macotta Steel Door and Window Frames in Rexdale, then at Robertson Sentinel and later as the maintenance manager at various malls and shopping centres. His genuine care and high regard for a job well done could always be felt.

Andrejs dedicated most of his free time to proudly and tirelessly working on the family farm in Holland Marsh and lending a hand as a diligent ‘work bee’ at the Latvian camps Sidrabene amd Gaŗezers. He was a strong supporter of Latvian Scouts and Girl Guides. His boundless love for both his family and his native Latvia were evident through his relentless support in raising his sons.

He is honored with love by his family: sons Reinis and Kārlis, daughter-in-law Diāna, grandsons Dainis, Austris, Markus and Kairis.
Andrejs’ memorial service will be held at York Cemetary on Thursday, August 8, 2024 the visitation at 12:00 and memorial service at 1:00 followed by the funeral procession and reception.

To honor Andrejs’ memory, in lieu of flowers we invite donations to be made in his name to Toronto Biedrības Latviešu Sestdienas Skola (for the purpose of the donation, please write 'TLBSS in memory of Andrejs Briedis') https://lnak.net/ziedojiet-izglitibas-un-kulturas-fondam/ . Andrejs was an avid reader and donations will support the love of reading at Toronto’s Latvian School.

Rest in peace, dear Andrejs. Until we meet again. Keep smiling.