Obituary of Andrew Jackson

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Andy Jackson announced his passing on September 1st 2023 at the age of 66.

Beloved husband of Colleen, Cherished father of Andrew and wife Olivia, Brad Adams, Lonnie Adams. Loving Poppa to Kallie Adams, Ava, Jameson, and Allie-Joy Jackson.

Loving son of the late Marion and Bill Jackson. Loving son in law to the late Margaret and Kenneth Drouillard. Loving brother to Bill (Sandy) Jackson, Jo-Ellen Jackson (late Carl), Bobby Jackson (Kim), Kathy Castle (late Jim), Peggy Evans (Hue), David Jackson (late Bonnie), brother and best friend Dan Jackson (Michelle). Pre-deceased by sisters Suzie Jackson (Gary) and Joy (Marc) Lafromboise.

Loved brother in law to the late Ken Drouillard (Tina), Debbie (Dave), Garry (late Karen), Sheila Crumb (Ron), late Sandy (Jamie) Devon, Brenda (Mark) Martin, Wanda Goettel, Karen Barichelllo (late Gino).

Andy was a dear uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was blessed with amazing lifelong friends Randy, Timmy (x2), Glenny (late), Lloyd (late) and too many others to list.

Andy will be dearly missed by many extended family and friends.

Andy worked for many years in the manufacturing sector, most notably at SKD in Amherstburg and at Southwestern Manufacturing in Windsor.

Andy was known as a kind, generous, compassionate and strong man.

Andy so loved gathering with friends and family that he planned and attended his own wake a few months prior to his passing.

As per Andy’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Arrangements entrusted to Simple Choice, online condolences may be shared with the family at www.simplechoicecremation.ca

The family invites you to a visitation at The Moose Lodge in Windsor on September 23rd at 2pm.

 

 

 

Lessons Learned from my dad, Andy Jackson

You’ve often told me, “Do as I say, not as I do”, but only a fool would not aim to live and love like you.

I’ve been blessed with 4 fantastic parents, and I’ve learned a lot from each. Much of what I know about being a man, a father, a husband, a brother and a friend has come from watching my dad, Andy Jackson.

I think you learn a lot about what is valuable in life, by observing how people, who know they are living on borrowed time, spend what little time they have left. Over the years I’ve observed something consistent about how the people in my dad’s life chose to spend their borrowed time. It started with my grandfather Bill, I noticed that as he was coming towards the end of his life, he elected to spend much of his time, visiting my dad’s house, sitting on the front porch, playing cribbage and just hanging out with my dad. I went on to see this pattern repeated with a too long line of people, who knew they were dying, and elected to spend much of their final months, days and hours by my dad’s side on that front porch at 661 Bridge Ave. My aunt Joy, dad’s friends Glenny McGinnis and Gordy Meiur (Sp?), Jim Barker and others. When they knew their time was limited, they went out of their way to spend that time with Andy.

With a bit of reflection, I’ve realized that it was not just people who were dying, it was anyone going through a difficult time, a job loss, a relationship falling apart, a loss of a loved one, all these life challenges drove people to my dad’s side. He had an open heart and an open-door. He never moved, he never changed his phone number, and everyone was always welcome. His cold beer was your cold beer. His food was your food. If you needed to borrow a car, his was yours. A couch to crash on, he’d offer that too. Most important of all, if you wanted to talk, he was a great listener, he asked questions, he was curious, he didn’t judge, he didn’t even give much advice, he just made sure that you knew that he loved you and would be in your corner, no matter what. He was also great on days that you didn’t want to talk. I’ve watched many people, just sit quietly near him and feel better in his presence.

I’ve heard it said about another great man, who I never got to meet, that “God loved him, because he loved what God loved….people”. I can say with 100% certainty that this applied to my dad too. He was baptized as a kid, and was even an alter boy, but

he wasn’t religious at all. Despite that, in many ways, he led an example of a Christian life. I’m not a biblical scholar, but from what I can tell, much of the bible is an instruction manual for loving people, unselfishly, unconditionally, in a way that is hard to do, because it tends to cost you something. My brother’s and I have been blessed to grow up watching Andy consistently demonstrate that unwavering love and hospitality towards everyone.

Another thing that I’ve learned is that a man can’t do all this selfless loving of others alone. A man needs a great wife, and she needs to be on board. I’m so thankful for my dad’s wife, my second mother, Colleen. All his unconditional loving of people was made possible by his oneness with her…by the fact that they both had a shared heart for loving others, selflessly. Together they have been a strong example of what 4 decades of committed marriage looks like, and how a couple united, can be a place of loving stability for their sons, nieces and nephews, extended family, friends and neighbors.

My dad loved playing cards. Euchre and poker. He’d often call me up and say, “Drew, lets get a poker game together!”. In hindsight, I translate that as him saying, “I’d love to spend the day with my sons, brothers, friends and nephews!” I’m so thankful for all our hours at the poker table. He played cards like he lived…his way and without fear. One of his favorite lines was “Don’t count me out, I’ve still got a chip and a chair”. He wasn’t wrong. I watched him come back and win several poker games after being down to just a single chip.

My dad was fearless and principled and did things on his terms. He was diagnosed with terminal cancer 10 months ago. The doctors told him that he had only 5 months to live, he took this in stride and lived twice as long as they predicted. His “chip and a chair” attitude served him well. He is the only man I know who elected to throw his own wake, in advance of his pending death, so that he could be there to buy his buddies a round and tell them how much he loved them. What a special day that was. 200 people showed up, the band was epic, the food was delicious, they were lined up 4 deep at the bar, and 5 deep around Andy. It was a true celebration of life, and it was done exactly as he wanted it, with him there smiling, handing out drinks, hugs and encouraging words, all with Colleen at this side.

When someone passes, people often ask how they can honour that person’s memory. Some people elect to give to charity, plant a tree or do some other good

deed. If you are asking yourself how to honour Andy’s memory, I encourage you to do what he did so often. Find someone who could use some love, a neighbor, family member, friend or even a stranger. Invite them to your home, serve them a meal and a few drinks, listen to them, encourage them and let them know that you care for them and will be there for them, in good times and in bad. This costs you something, but the benefits of this kind of hospitality and love have ripple effects that far outweigh the costs.

My brother’s and I have been blessed to grow up watching such a strong and compassionate man. In many ways our modern culture has a problem with masculinity. Most examples of men these days are just too soft. Or, we see examples of “manly men” who are just selfish and stupid. I saw my dad of one of the last great examples of manliness done right, a provider, a protector and a teacher…kind, and compassionate but tough, fearless and quite comfortable with violence when required to defend a friend, family member, or even a vulnerable stranger. I now realize that many of the traits that I so admire in my older brother’s Lonnie and Brad, have been learned at least in part from our dad.

I’m gonna miss him. I’m thankful to have learned so much from him. God, help me to be the kind of father, husband, brother, friend and neighbor that my dad was. I know that if I can follow his example, and teach my kids to do the same, I’ll be a happy man, and those around me will be blessed for generations to come.

With Love,

Andrew Jackson, a proud and thankful son.

September 2, 2023.