Neil Andrews - R.I.P. Photo Gallery by Nonsuch Photo Galleries at pbase.com

Neil Andrews - R.I.P.

.

Neil John Andrews . . .

Passed away suddenly on October 26, 2008 at the Toronto Western Hospital in his 78th year. Neil was recovering from knee surgery when taken by a stroke.

Much loved and sadly missed by sister Joan Lomax, nieces Lori Hollingsworth (Bob), Linda Lomax-Clarridge, and Leslie Lomax (Robert Robinson), great niece Jennifer Clarridge and great nephews Dana and Dale Hollingsworth.

Neil graduated from Ryerson University, class of '54 Radio and TV arts programme, retired after more than 35 years with a distinguished career at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He was a lifelong member of the Queen City Yacht Club (QCYC) on the Toronto Islands and more recently the passionate and talented publisher/editor of the INA (International Nonsuch Association) quarterly publication, UPDATE.

Neil had been nominated and elected to Life Membership in Great Lakes Nonsuch by 47 of his INA fellows at the organizational meeting in March 2007. He was an active member of Lake Ontario Nonsuch when it was vital in the '80s and early '90s. He took over editing UPDATE from Jon Ayers (& Bud Turner?) and did exemplary work while also serving as a Director of the INA Board.

His memorial service was held October 30, near Toronto. He will be remembered by family, many close friends, colleagues, and friends of Nonsuch around the world.

Donations to Princess Margaret Hospital or Women's College Hospital would be appreciated by the family.

(Some of the messages at the bottom, below, were posted Oct 27, 28, & 29 either on the INA list or the funeral home condolence page and were copied here once this gallery was created after Neil's memorial service. These messages are gathered here for Neil, all of Neil's family, Neil's many friends, and all who honour Neil Andrews)

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Newport 2008 Rendezvous	Neil Andrews, Editor UPDATE	Social & . . .	. . . Luncheon	Nonsuch UPDATE editor Neil Andrews standing at poolside
:: Oxtongue Lake ::

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Bill & Betty Newell		11-Nov-2008 02:05
We were deeply saddened to hear of the tremendous loss of Neil. We were so pleased to have had the opportunity on many occasions to get to know Neil over the years and to hear him talk fondly many times about his family. He was a very special, delightful, and talented person with great enthusiasm for and dedication to the INA and the UPDATE, with which he did an outstanding job. It will be extremely difficult to replace him! We very much appreciated Neil's invaluable help to us and our Committee during the Boston 2004 Rendezvous. He certainly will be sorely missed by all. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and many dear friends. God bless and watch over him! Sincerely, Bill & Betty Newell exPURR FECTION 33 43

todd		10-Nov-2008 05:47
I have spent many summers with Neil on his Nonsuch over the past 12 year. We enjoyed many Nonsuch event and the people we sailed with. I first met Neil when I was working for the Seahawks on center island for George Perice. This is also were I meet George Perice who was Neils Seahawk leader as well a mine. Niel will always be in my memories and will be dearly missed. I am thank full for the knowledge and experience in sailing, maintenance and film production that Neil has carefully passed on to me and hope to be able to share it with others. When either riding my bike through cabbage town or being near lake Ontario and center island i will warmly remember Neil and all the times spent with such a great friend.

Marlyn Macdonald		07-Nov-2008 17:44
Neil's Nonsuch SEKOLAH was parked about four boats up from our Shark at QCYC for many years and we got to know Neil very well and were very fond of him. One particularly memorable occasion was a few years back when my mother, Margaret, visited from Scotland and we invited Neil to join us at the picnic table for dinner, which seemed to delight him. After dinner he invited us aboard SEKOLAH for coffee and a dram and when my mum got onboard she said, in all innocence, "How come Neil's boat is only two feet bigger than your Shark, yet it's like a floating condo?" We all fell about laughing. Thanks Neil for all the great memories, we'll miss you. Our deepest sympathies to his family. Marlyn & Norrie Macdonald

John Iskra		07-Nov-2008 17:37
I had the privilege of knowing Neil in Toronto as a neighbour, in his capacity as editor of the INA newsletter and to some extent in context of his work with CBC and some of this friends there. The man was a polymath with an immense and an intense interest in people. He was one-of-a-kind and will be missed immensely.

Jim & Emma Sandham		07-Nov-2008 17:36
We are proud to call him a friend and a prince among men and sailors. Jim & Emma MARISSA III 30U 263

Leslie		06-Nov-2008 20:55
What a wonderful page to visit. Thank you for sharing your experiences. As I read through all of your comments, I find tears forming but my smile growing...you are all right, he will be missed. On behalf of the family, I would like to thank each and every one of you for honouring my Uncle with your kind words, beautiful poems and send offs. Leslie Lomax (Neice)

Guest		06-Nov-2008 20:41
I just saw Neil recently when he brought me two of his cookbooks to donate as prizes for our Women Skipper's Race at Queen City. Although I hadn't seen him for several years his face lit up at the sight of me. Neil was always ready to donate, help out, bring cheer to the day. How we will all miss his friendship and unflagging good spirit. Nancy Moore

Thor Powell		06-Nov-2008 17:49
He will be missed by all Nonsuch sailers but leaves us all such a wonderful legacy.

Doria Latendorf		05-Nov-2008 17:21
I was very sad to hear of the passing of Neil Andrews. Neil's SEKOLAH was moored next to my late husband Gunther's first Nonsuch, MARINER'S CAT , at Queen City Yacht Club. From then on he was a great friend and I will miss him. I know that he has joined the Nonsuch fleet in heaven, and they are sharing wonderful times on the water. My deepest sympathy to his family. Doria Latendorf exMARINER'S CAT (five Nonsuches from 26 to 33)

Robert		05-Nov-2008 17:17
Neil was a great friend and a wonderful human being. I miss him deeply

Geza Banfai		05-Nov-2008 15:41
Neil was a very special man, and will always be remembered by us for his warmth, his welcoming way (to both QCYC and to the world of Nonsuch sailing) and his constant good cheer. A great loss to the world. Our deepest sympathies to his family and the many, many people he touched in life. Geza Banfai, Michele Macartney-Filgate, MANX 30C 178

Doryne & Andy Peace		05-Nov-2008 15:21
Neil was a wonderful person who encouraged us to purchase our Nonsuch. He was always cheerful and full of support. We are shocked and saddened by his untimely passing and will miss his presence at Queen City Yacht Club. Our deepest sympathy. Doryne & Andy Peace PEACEFULL 26C 25

Maurice Anderson		05-Nov-2008 13:50
Neil was a great communicator, a fine sailor, an accomplished chef, and a good friend. He was a truly invaluable member of the International Nonsuch Association (INA). His work producing the Nonsuch UPDATE will be hard, and perhaps impossible to replace. I was proud to represent the INA at his well attended funeral and to give our thanks for all his service and work. My favourite Neil anecdote has been to tell of a moment at the Boston 2004 Rendezvous when we were sharing a bottle of wine on THE WHITE CAT . He noted, with surprise that I only had three good wine glasses instead of the normal four and asked "How come?". I muttered, "High cost!". More than a year later, a parcel was left anonymously with our condominium concierge. I opened it and . . . it was a fourth wine glass ! Maurice & Aileen Anderson THE WHITE CAT 30 - /3

Rob Vaandering		03-Nov-2008 19:50
We remember Neil from the 2007 Great Lakes gathering at Toronto Hydroplane & Sailing Club. What a shame. What a loss ! Rob & Luci Vaandering WHITE GOLD II 33W - /1

Mike Girardo		31-Oct-2008 20:22
It seemed every time I saw Neil he was always smiling or laughing or trying to nudge me to write an article for UPDATE. He was aboard BIANKA for one of the cruises at the Boston 2004 Rendezvous. I was thankful for the tips and advice he freely offered on that sail. The UPDATE issues he edited always had some very useful information as he reminded us just two weeks ago on the list. His knowledge and laughter will certainly be missed in our Nonsuch community. Mike Girardo BIANKA 30U 371

Mary Rygiel		31-Oct-2008 20:18
Dear Joan and Family, I am very saddened with the news of Neil's passing. I have been honoured to have his trust over the past 20 years. During our many conversations, Neil has told me about his love of sailing and his pride in the newsletter he published for Nonsuch sailors around the world. Most importantly, he talked about his love for his family. Please accept my sincere condolences. With warm regards, Mary

Jim Taylor		31-Oct-2008 19:29
We had a silent moment of remembrance for Neil at this week's luncheon. Fair Winds Neil. Jim Taylor Skipper, The Shellback Club, Toronto

Arthur Langley		31-Oct-2008 17:16
Nonsuch . . . "none such as, without equal". Neil in a word. Nonsuch . . . Neil's creative and professional skills as a producer and mentor to other talents of all ages . . . Neil's lifelong love of sailing, sailors, the Queen City Yacht Club, and all things Nonsuch . . . Neil's selfless giving to and support of others . . . Neil's smile and laugh. God speed Neil. Arthur BEAR AWAY IV 26C 44 & JUNO 30C 12

Herb Huber		31-Oct-2008 17:11
I first met Neil Andrews at the Toronto 2006 Rendezvous at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. As a new INA member and new owner of MISTOFFELEES it was a pleasure to talk with the editor of UPDATE. It's a publication that I would read & reread. Neil exemplified everything that the association would like to be known for. Herb & Heather Huber MISTOFFELEES 30C 39875 /91

Sharon Lehnert		31-Oct-2008 17:05
I am so sorry to hear about Neil passing away. Sharon Lehnert MY DETOUR 30C 23

Jon Ayers		31-Oct-2008 17:02
Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho` from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar. Crossing The Bar, Alfred Lord Tennyson Jon Ayers SKYLARK 33 15

Frank Anderson		31-Oct-2008 16:51
Nancy and I got to know Neil at the Boston 2004 Rendezvous. He was special. For you folks that did not get the pleasure of meeting him, the pictures will give you a clue of his smiling personality. He will be missed. Frank & Nancy Anderson exSABBATICAL 30C 59 & NAMASTE 30U 357

Allen Ames		31-Oct-2008 16:47
I am standing on the seashore; a ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, "There! She's gone!" Gone where? Gone from my sight - that is all. She's just as large in mast and hull as she was when she left my side and is just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her; and just at the moment when someone at my side says, "There! She's gone!", there are other eyes watching her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "There she comes!" The Ship - A Parable of Immortality, Henry Jackson Van Dyke Allen & Judy Ames exSESAME 26C 4 & exSESAME II 30U 351 , now SESAME DS31

Glenys Squires		31-Oct-2008 16:34
I am so sorry to hear about Neil's passing. My late husband Paul Sutherland was a school mate from Ryerson, a fellow Nonsuch sailor, and fellow QCYC member. They shared many good times and Neil was so kind to me when Paul died. Neil was a great help with handling RUNCIBLE until I sold it. I know how much Neil loved all his family as he talked so much about them, especially all his 'girls'. I know he will be very much missed by all. Paul and I were so lucky to have been blessed with his friendship. My deepest sympathy to Neil's family. Glenys Squires exRUNCIBLE 36 20

Phil Harmeson		31-Oct-2008 16:32
Mary and I had the pleasure of serving on the boat judging committee with Neil at the Newport 2008 Rendezvous this past July. Previously, I had only seen him from afar and was, frankly, intimidated by his blazer and whites. Our committee agreed to meet at the BBQ bar adjacent to the marina to discuss our findings and, as luck would have it, Neil and I arrived early and began to chat over his wine and my beer. We talked for a couple of hours, occasionally interrupted by committee members who wanted to discuss what the committee was supposed to be discussing. We talked cooking, sailing, hockey, his aunt, Sesame Street (which was modeled on one of his successful children's TV programs), the Nonsuch organization, U.S. and Canadian politics and, as the beer and wine continued, whatever came to mind. When it came time to pay up, the waitress said Neil had already claimed the check. But then she gave it to me. Neil protested but she ignored him. Frustrated, he finally asked me how I had gotten the check after he had supposedly made arrangements. When I told him the truth, that I had told the waitress that he was my father and couldn't afford to pay the bill, he coughed on his wine mid swallow and howled. We had looked forward to dinner with him in Toronto. I'll never make judgements based on white slacks and blazers again. Phil & Mary Harmeson CATHARSIS 30U 295

Nonsuch Photo Galleries		31-Oct-2008 16:30
Many in Nonsuch have had the privilege over the last twenty-five years but many more have not met Neil. Neil could not attend but was an enthusiastic supporter of the organizational event and efforts that led to the founding of Great Lakes Nonsuch and the Fleets therein in March of 2007. The West-Lake Ontario Fleet inherited, thanks to Neil, the bank balance from Lake Ontario Nonsuch that had been 15 years moribund by 2007. Neil, like many others, was much enthused about the idea of annual shared Nonsuch fun . . . afloat and ashore. Neil had so enjoyed sharing such fun, “Striving Mightily On The Water . . . Eating And Drinking As Friends” and had long been a contributor to and helped organize such fun when he sailed his beloved SEKOLAH 26C 133 out of Queen City YC on Toronto Islands in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. This picture captures, to me, the joy Neil always carried in him and shared whenever with others, and in particular when he was with sailors . . .http://www.pbase.com/nonsuch/image/88070446 . . . this was Neil at the Great Lakes Sail-In at the Toronto Hydroplane & Sailing Club in August, 2007 in Toronto ON on West-Lake Ontario Here’s Neil at the Great Lakes Social at the Port Credit YC in November, 2007 in Mississauga ON on West-Lake Ontario. Neil’s with John Grainger & Bonnie Reib of HOPE & GLORY 33 16 . . .http://www.pbase.com/nonsuch/image/92355438 Here’s Neil looking very spiffy at the Boston 2004 Rendezvous . . .http://www.pbase.com/nonsuch/image/75060289 Neil loved sailing, in particular his club . . .http://www.qcyc.ca/ . . . and, like that wonderful toast, sailors everywhere. He greatly enjoyed helping others, young and old, get into sailing and getting into whatever boat that would be fun for them and their needs. His SEKOLAH’s COOKBOOK has been a hit for a decade with all who’ve seen it. His recipes have often been featured on the cruising website . . .http://www.searoom.com Neil was a selfless giver in all parts of his life and he contributed much to Lake Ontario Nonsuch in its heyday half a generation ago. He has continued his contributions . . . to International Nonsuch . . . through his tireless, long standing, and fine efforts as the publisher of UPDATE plus work for various Rendezvous and other Nonsuch events. Though he may be replaced as Editor of UPDATE, we will not likely see his equal. Fair winds and smooth seas Neil, wherever you voyage . . . across the bar.

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