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Andrew Thompson

Andrew Thompson

Passed on: February 21st, 2015

Andrew Ross Thompson
Andrew Ross Thompson passed away quietly at Stensrud Lodge in Saskatoon SK, Saturday Feb-21-2015, Andy was 89 years old. Andy was born in Swift Current on March 2, 1925, to Angus and Elizabeth Thompson. He was the youngest of five children. His older siblings were: Angus Jr.(Gus), Alister, Jean and has fraternal twin Evander (Eddie). Andy completed grades one through eight at Oman Public School in Swift Current. He began working for the Canadian Pacific Railway at the age of seventeen, and worked as a car inspector until he joined the services in Nov 1943. As a member of the Royal Regina Rifles Infantry he toured England, France Belgium and Holland. Andrew was discharged from his military duties on May 15, 1946. He returned to Swift Current and resumed his carman position with the CPR. In 1971 Andrew and his family were transferred to Moose Jaw. He continued his car inspecting duties until 1985 when he retired with 43 years of service to the railway. Even in his eighties, this railway man still appreciated the rumble of a train heading across the prairies.
The most significant event that happened to Andy, after leaving the armed forces, was meeting Minnie Fern Payne. Ever the patient and persistent suitor, Andy gradually convinced Minnie to go on a date. They were married in June 1949, and were true soul mates for 61 years before Minnie’s passing. Andy became a father to Heather Anne in Mar. 1952, and to Garth Ross in Nov. 1959. His family grew when Heather married Bob Anderson, and Garth married Karen Ruttan. Andy became known as “Gramps” upon the arrival of his grandchildren, Kendra, Breanna and Graham. Andy was very involved in Grace United Church while in Swift Current and Minto United in Moose Jaw. He was a member of the Legion for years, and he and Min were avid members of the Moose Jaw Camping Club. He and Min also built a home together; the two of them were always tackling projects as a team. Andrew was known as “Handy-Andy” by family and friends, and would help with anything that needed fixing. It was said, “Andy would clean it before it was dirty, and fix it before it was broken!” He was always quick to lend a helping hand to a friend or to a stranger. As Andy grew older and his memory faded, he still delighted in spending time with the people he loved. He lived in the moment, and continued to share his cheeky grin and grand sense of humour with all of us. Andrew’s family wish to extend their gratitude to the staff at Stensrud Lodge in Saskatoon for providing “Gramps” with the long term care he needed and for giving him a home where he could live safely with dignity. No services are planned at this time. Donations can be made to The Diabetes Assoc. or the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Arrangements are entrusted to Prairie View Chapel and Crematorium. Ph 306-242-7884

 

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