Andrew Clarke

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May 8, 2021

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

You are forever in our hearts.

We miss you dearly.

Rest in peace, my friend.

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January 11, 2021

My condolences to the Clarke family for their loss.

While I’m sure that I met Andrew in high school so many years ago it wasn’t until our 20s that we came to know each other better. Invariably, back in those days outings with our high school... more

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January 3, 2021 · via iPhone

My sincere condolences to the Clarke Family.
Earliest recollections of Andrew for me came during our years at Humberside. He was introduced as a friend by a friend, and I immediately felt at ease and taken by his warm and witty ways. Over time as I got... more

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December 29, 2020

My condolences to the Clarke family and to all those who knew Andrew.

I only had the fortune of catching up with Andrew once a year at the annual Golf Weekend, but right from day one (15+ years ago), he welcomed me as if I been part of the gang for... more

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December 26, 2020 · via iPhone

I first met Andrew in the middle of high school through friends of friends. He was a positive, friendly, funny guy each and every time I met him.
He was always the first person to ask how you were or what you needed.
We have been lucky as a group to have... more

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December 24, 2020 · via iPhone

My condolences to Andrew’s family, such a loss leaves a hole that can’t be filled. I only got to see Andrew once or twice a year on golf trips but it was always amazing how he could make you feel like you were important and cared about. His smile and... more

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December 24, 2020

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December 23, 2020

My heartfelt condolences to the Clarke family and to all who's lives were touched by Andrew.

Whether you knew him for decades or just met a day ago, Andrew always found a way
- often with his quick wit and infectious laugh - to add a bit more colour... more

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Bill Missios reacted on this.

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December 22, 2020

It has been said by more than a few people, bears repeating -- when I think back to when I first met Andrew which would have been 1985, I was impressed by his care for others right at the get go. All he was concerned about was what others around him... more

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Paul Mathias reacted on this.

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December 22, 2020

Andrew could fit in with any crowd and he made sure that everyone in the crowd felt like they belonged. A quality, among many of his that will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to all friends and family.

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Paul Mathias reacted on this.

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December 22, 2020

I would like to begin by offering my condolences to the entire Clarke family. Andrew was a dear friend and recognized his devotion to family and his friends. You have lost a loving husband, a wonderful dad, an incredible son, a great brother, terrific... moreI would like to begin by offering my condolences to the entire Clarke family. Andrew was a dear friend and recognized his devotion to family and his friends. You have lost a loving husband, a wonderful dad, an incredible son, a great brother, terrific uncle and I lost one of my best friends.

As teenagers, we both attended Humberside Collegiate Institute. Although we were 3 years apart in age, we still managed to become very good friends. Upon graduation, as our buddies left for far away universities Andrew and I remained in Toronto. I remember we would have study sessions at Christine’s and Miwa’s apartment. Truth be told, those study sessions turned into card games and Dr. Mario. On occasion, we would find ourselves at Billy Bobs, a local bar in Bloor West Village. We both buckled down and worked hard. Regardless of our misadventures, we managed to be successful.

For 20 past years, our good friend Peter Ruprecht, organized our Sauble golf trips. Andrew was always the first to offer a ride up north. It was a 3 hour trip.
This allowed us time to contemplate life and the state of world affairs. A constant topic was the state of the Toronto Maple Leaf franchise. Who to trade, who to keep and who to put in the starting line ups. As you can clearly see, we discussed very important world affairs.

I remember sharing a client concern with Andrew. I was dealing with a challenging client and I was struggling with a rebuttal. About 1/2 hour later Andrew took the time and sent me an example of what to say to this client. I wish I kept that email but Dear %^&* face was the opening……I was in stitches.

There comes a time in every man’s life when he falls in love. Allison, I know that Andrew was smitten by your beauty. The indescribable joy he felt when Owen and Johnny came into this world. The stories he would share. His love for them is endless.

Apart from my fond memories of Andrew, tears alone cannot express the depth of my grief. He will be sadly missed. less

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Paul Mathias reacted on this.
Bill Missios Forever remembered, forever missed. You will always remain my friend.
- December 22, 2020

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December 21, 2020

Alison, Owen, Johnny & the Clarke family,
In this time of sorrow, kindly accept my deepest sympathies for your immeasurable loss.

Dear Andrew,
With a friendship that grew from kindergarten there are countless memories to be recalled but it’s the... more

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Bill Missios reacted on this.

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December 21, 2020

added 1 photo(s) to the memorial :

December 21, 2020

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December 21, 2020

From Laura Ferguson and Jim Wainwright: Cousin Andrew was an important person from the day he was born! My first real memory was his birth announcement! The metric system was peeking its head over the horizon and the newspaper announcement of Andrew... moreFrom Laura Ferguson and Jim Wainwright: Cousin Andrew was an important person from the day he was born! My first real memory was his birth announcement! The metric system was peeking its head over the horizon and the newspaper announcement of Andrew included his birth weight expressed in Kilograms - quite leading edge in that time! The second memory relates to Toronto’s recognition of his importance. I remember that Zena Cherry - the Globe and Mail’s society columnist - sent Marie congratulatory flowers and his Dad Bill joked that he thought Marie was torn between carrying Andrew or the flowers out of the hospital!! Andrew was quickly front and centre in the Clarke household. My third memory is of Andrew - adorable in a buttercup-coloured onesie - resting happily in his Dad’s arms as the Nixon hearings or OJ’s trial mesmerized us all.
> It wasn’t just his Dad that adored Andrew, however. One year when Andrew was still a little guy we all went on a ski trip to Whistler for a week and I recall Marie’s anguish at having left him and joy at returning.
> Fast forward 40 years to last fall. In the intervening time there were decades of pride in Andrew and no finer moment than when he and Alison tied the knot. He had certainly inherited his Dad’s stellar taste in women!! They were wonderfully supportive when we all went to China - lending their travelling cases and giving us a beautiful send-off dinner.
> Last fall, after his Dad was taken, Jim and I were visiting with Marie and Andrew had stopped in on his way to work. With grace and humour and eloquence reminiscent of big Bill, he regaled the three of us with the story of taking Owen and John to school that morning and the back seat sneaker-labelling drama that threatened the future of their whole family. It was Stewart McLean-worthy and I would give anything to have a recording of that to share with everyone. He left us feeling warm and happy in a very hard time. I hope, somehow, we all will feel the same way when remembering him.
Cousin Laura less

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December 20, 2020

Bill Missios and Paul Mathias reacted on this.

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December 20, 2020

Thank you for setting up this celebration of life page as a tribute to Andrew. I appreciate the opportunity to share an “Andrew Story”. There are so many great traits that Andrew had. Simply put, he is one of the best people who I have ever... more

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Bill Missios and Paul Mathias reacted on this.
Bill Missios I think, I know which hole you were referring to Mike. I may have had some influence. A true friend, 100%.
- December 20, 2020

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December 19, 2020 · via iPhone

There are so many wonderful memories of Uncle Andy, it’s hard to pick one. He was a thoughtful and kind soul, and spent many years making Brianna, Rebecca and I laugh uncontrollably as kids. Most memorable was the multi-year joke that we would get a... more

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December 16, 2020

New picture of a suave, yet sneaky Andrew in 1995 in Wolfville NS. It was a full family trip to the Acadia Theatre Festival.

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December 16, 2020

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December 16, 2020

From Lisa DelGuidice
When I think of Andrew I immediately have a smile on my face because Andrew was one of the funniest individuals I ever met. He shared his humour verbally, through hilarious emails and in his actions. He always had that smirky yet... more

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Brianna Clarke reacted on this.

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December 15, 2020 · via iPhone

My condolences to Alison, Owen, John and to Marie, Bill, Kenneth and the rest of the extended family.
My cousin Andrew had that fantastic smile when he walked into the room at the May/November family birthdays. It usually morphed into a grin and then a... more

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December 14, 2020

Thanks for setting this up, Bill.

One of my favourite memories of Uncle Andy was when he crashed our cottage dance practice and showed off his many "moves". This was the summer of 2011, before my Mom and Art's wedding, when Tess and Bri were... more

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Brianna Clarke and Tessa Clarke reacted on this.

added 1 photo(s) to the memorial :

December 14, 2020

Tessa Clarke reacted on this.

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December 14, 2020

Tessa Clarke reacted on this.

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December 14, 2020

My Uncle Andrew, or as we called him for many years "Uncle", was always up for a game. He brought the sense of excitement that could make anyone feel better, whether it be through his bright smile and/or his low-pitched belly laugh. Magic... more

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Kate Belmore and Tessa Clarke reacted on this.

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December 14, 2020

In video -- What is the meaning of the costume and set?
1) Russia hockey sweater was a gift from Andrew and Alison at my 50th bday. Cyrlllic letters of Tretiak on back - made in Russia - most prized possession.
2) The Hockey picture in background... more

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Brianna Clarke reacted on this.

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December 14, 2020

Bill Clarke - a text of the video is here:
Andrew Eulogy
With age and experience you can transform facts into knowledge into understanding
If only it were that easy or that clear.
I watched Andrew grow up, as I grew up 10 yrs ahead. I wondered why he... moreBill Clarke - a text of the video is here:
Andrew Eulogy
With age and experience you can transform facts into knowledge into understanding
If only it were that easy or that clear.
I watched Andrew grow up, as I grew up 10 yrs ahead. I wondered why he did things, some bonehead, (like 23 orange crush in one overnight) and some very astute. Why did he rebel as a teenager? How did he develop such a gift for language and writing? How did he keep such a great group of friends?
Then (not in an instant but over time) it made some sense. He matured, he grew confident, he found his passions and learned when to support others and when to ask for help. He found a good balance and loved his life as we loved him.
Specific memories will never leave me: Ken and John mutilating his Stretch Armstrong and then leaving it to melt on a radiator when he was 5. Andrew as a handsome 11 yr old, who didn’t score at Maple Leaf Gardens but had his Slashing penalty announced. A Family Triumph to say the least. Andrew was a 20yr old videographer of the Thanksgiving Turkey retrospective in Ottawa before Tessa was born. Andrew the cottage late sleeper about whom my daughters wondered what was wrong. He emerged one morning with the immortal phrase: “Do what you want, but do it on your own time.” During frantic French phone calls to Arlette, Andrew did the perfect impersonation of my father’s phrases, especially “dans la poubelle,” which translates to “in the trash”. He could not let a teacher name go by without teasing my kids. Poor Brianna had Mme Nadon for French. Say it quickly and it becomes a mythical dinosaur.
Andrew the food inventor. It could have been the cottage pizza boat, with a side order of ketchup chips, but best of all was the fajita specialty with beef and chicken. Someone named it the Beeken, but without a second’s thought Andrew replied it had the be The CHIEF. Lastly as a young man, Andrew will forever be known for the torture my dad inflicted upon him with the piano. The Girl from Ipanema is a beautiful melody but 8 times an hour for 3 ½ years is really too much.
And then he met Alison… I wasn’t around, I really don’t know but their connection was unmistakable. Happiness, calmness, deep respect. It showed in all they did together and in their boys.
In advance of their wedding, I honour his friends for the best jet boat ride on the Niagara river on a frigid Sept afternoon. That was the bachelor party… before a beautiful lakefront wedding.
I honour Andrew for his character and the love he and Alison share.
Since July 16 when Andrew told us of his Brain cancer diagnosis, I have been in a cloud.
Not a fluffy, floating cloud, but a foggy haze, unsure what to do or how to react.
It is Andrew who has cleared the air. Each communication he brings perspective. At the cottage in early August, our family sat together. “It is all good” , he said, “ each day a blessing. Now what can I do for you?” Then he would soldier on to live those peaceful words; wanting others to be content.
Before Labour Day and his therapy, we spoke again and he was told us how much he loved us and thanked us…. How does someone reply to that when you know his pain is so real?
“The boys” are not a matched set. Owen and Johnny are as unique and wonderful as any 2 COVID kids can be. Each will be a legacy of their father and I will always love them for that and what they do.
Then Nov 7 and Nov 20, Andrew’s words and Alison’s strength were profound as he described his tests and that the doctors had seen no improvement in his level of cancer. He said he felt weaker every day and he told us how much he loved us… He loved us!!!!
This level of spirituality is remarkable. Andrew has refused to share his pain or sadness, but steadfastly stuck to giving , intent on others being first. I have forever been changed by this attitude.
Brother, I love YOU. Your family and friends will forever be better for having known you.
Rest in peace, Andrew Clarke. less

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Brianna Clarke, Kate Belmore, and Tessa Clarke reacted on this.
Brianna Clarke Beautifully written and captures Uncle Andy with all his delights and wisdom.
- December 14, 2020

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