Loving husband, and now reunited with his lovely wife Enola. Cherished father of Christine Hennessey (Francis), Jim Stilin (Mary), Andy Stilin (Cheryl) and Marty Stilin (Donna). Adored grandpa of Courtney (Chris), Mychal-Anne (Ben), Brendan (Steph), Kellan (Jordana), Luke (Steph), Lara, Anna (Tyler), Kirstie (Christopher), Taylor and Nathan. Proud great grandfather of Emmalie, Katelin, Aerin (Davin), Nikhil, Leila, Rocco, Emmy, Molly, and Ella.
Andy’s parents immigrated to the Sault from Croatia. Settling on hilltop property (Grandview Avenue), they started a farm and put their children to work. Andy loved that farm and reminisced about it over the years. He often told the story about going to Cody school and having to mind the cows across the gully (now Nino Drive) at recess.
Even at a young age, Andy was deeply devoted to family. He was very proud of his parents and his older siblings Frank, Carole and Anne. He often reminisced about his younger sister, baby Rose, who had passed away as a young child.
In 1955 he married the love of his life, Enola Canniff. They shared the same vision of focusing on family, faith and hard work. With the dream of a big family, Andy built a beautiful house across the street from his childhood farmhouse, overlooking Sault Ste. Marie. That house grew into a home with the arrival of each of their four children.
Andy was tough, and a hardworking papermaker by trade. He was one of the originals working shift work at Abitibi Pulp and Paper for 42 years. But by nature, Andy was a true businessman. In the late 60s he expanded his horizons into real estate. He took a second job as head salesman for Shipp Built homes, selling many of the original homes in the P-patch. He was driven and busy during that time.
Andy’s mindset was ‘if you weren’t busy, you were wasting time’. Hunting and fishing were his favourite hobbies. The love of the great outdoors led to the dream of buying property and building a cottage. He found a lot overlooking Haviland Bay. It was a diamond in the rough and probably the most difficult property to clear on the Bay. Over many summers he taught his children to work as the family turned the lot into a summer paradise. After retirement, Andy and Enola travelled to many fabulous places. Every time they returned home, Andy always remarked that “the Sault was the best place to live!”
Andy and Enola spent over 73 years together. Every Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving, their wonderful home was filled with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Andy was definitely not a shy guy. In his later years, his favourite pass time was meeting up with people he knew and people he didn’t know. Many of you reading this may remember talking with him at the grocery store, Canadian Tire or at the waterfront. He was there looking for you.
When Enola needed care and moved to the F. J. Davey Home, Andy chose to follow her there. That choice was difficult, but Enola was his home. He never looked back. He passed away with her photo in his hand. Andy impressed us all with his longevity and strength – and great hair. He attributed this to his hard work, and flax and fish oil supplements. Most of all, he lived a happy and healthy life because he was a man of determination and faith. He was part of a wonderful generation that had seen depression and war. He knew how to celebrate every day of the rest of his life because he thought it was just plain great to be alive.
We wish to thank the staff at the F. J. Davey Home for helping Andy enjoy his life in a long-term care home at the end. Thank you to the staff who endure so much each day and do it with a smile, patience and kindness.
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