It is with great honour we remember Andrew Jorgios Koop. Andrew was a son to Catherine and Alan Koop, brother to Christina, father to Evelyn/Evi (aged 9), a soul brother to Lev (Naiman), John (Minarik), Johnny (Brisbane), Mamon (Ahmed), Mark (Koop), and Mac Oda, grandson to Vassiliki (George Efremidis) and Evelyn (Felix Koop), nephew to Emmanuel (Mary) and Debbie (Jon Doan), cousins to Kerstin, Stephanie, Alexis, Giorgio, Sophia, Niko, uncle to beloved Mason (aged 4), friend to many, and brother to those with whom he served in the army. To the many, many people in Andrew’s life who transcended ethnicities, geographies, communities, and families (you know who you are) - he loved you all, near or far.

Don’t remember that he left us. Remember all that he was when he was on loan to us. His physical strength felt super human, his spirituality other worldly, his kindness and loyalty had no limits, his love for his daughter was love in its purest form and transcends all boundaries, his bond with his soul brothers and military brothers was deep and unwavering, and all family was everything to him.

He was a proud Pontic, and he was a proud military man -Canadian Forces Paratrooper with Queens Own Rifles Unit (since 2007), Close Protection (since 2011), and his last service in the military was with the Intelligence unit. Andrew had four deployments (twice to Afghanistan, a NATO mission to Eastern Europe and Latvia, and an undisclosed final tour). With only one month to train after returning from his last tour, Andrew triumphantly completed his first Iron Man in Tallinn, Estonia - a gruelling 3.8km swim, 180 km cycling, followed by a 42.2km marathon in cold and rain. Andrew trained and instructed on many health and wellness practices including CrossFit, Muay Thai, breath work, assorted yoga, meditation, cold-plunging, to name but a few.

He cared deeply for all who served as first responders and military and wanted all of us to remember how much the men and women of service give to all of us, so we can be safe. Andrew was an incredible athlete, highly intellectual, very accomplished, authentic, loyal, kind, loving, funny, a man of faith, and a seeker of truths and answers. He loved being in nature. His greatest happiness came from the simple things in life - taking his daughter to school, spending time with his daughter, barbecuing for his family, creating a beautiful garden, and having deep conversations with his nearest and dearest.

As a child, Andrew showed his physical strengths and intellectual talents early on. He was a superior athlete in anything he tried - hockey, tennis, golf, competitive mountain biking and men’s gymnastics, and the list goes on. Academically, he was accepted into the prestigious University of Waterloo Physics program, and was also subsequently accepted into both York University and UOIT for Mechanical Engineering. Early on, he showed a tremendous talent for grasping the most complex concepts in physics. He was also highly adept at learning languages including Greek, Pontian, Spanish, Farsi/Dari, Aramaic.

When others looked away from the faceless, Andrew looked them in the eyes and gave them presence. He saw their humanity, he saw the people - fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters.

A quote and scripture authentic to Andrew.

“…the event of being wounded in life creates the need for a deep healing process that becomes the path of awakening for each person.” Michael Meade

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Our warrior, our brave soldier, our protector, rest in peace Andrew.

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