Obituary of Andrew McCrindle

Andrew was born on October 15, 1922 in the Halkirk Hospital to mother Nell and father Will McCrindle. He was a younger brother for Janet, Bryce and Bob. He grew up on the family farm east of Byemoor on the SW 9 35 16. He attended Rustle School, a one room school north east of the farm and later boarded in Big Valley to attend high school there. In 1941 Andrew joined the Royal Canadian Airforce and served in Canada and overseas for the remainder of the Second World War. He returned home after the war for a short while and then moved to White Horse, Yukon Territory to work for the U.S. Army as they built the Alaska Highway. In 1947 he returned home to help Bob and his Dad on the farm. Bob and Andrew farmed together until 1960 when Bob got married and moved to Erskine. In 1959 Andrew met Doris Egan who had just arrived from England to teach in Byemoor. They married in August 1960. They raised three daughters: Helen, Cathy and Diane. Andrew and Dolly farmed the original homestead until 2003 when they moved to Stettler. In 2012 Andrew and Dolly moved to Consort as Dolly’s health issues required more help from family. Andrew moved into a suite at the Consort Lodge when Dolly moved to the Long Term Care facility in the Consort Hospital. He visited Dolly every day until her passing in 2014. His dedicated love and care of his beloved Dolly was an inspiration to his whole family. In September 2017, Andrew moved to the Long Term Care facility in Consort and lived there until his passing on May 31, 2018. The wonderful, compassionate care he was given at both the Lodge and the Long Term Care in Consort will always be appreciated by his family. It was obvious to all who knew Andrew that he loved his life on the farm. His affection for his animals, his love for the land was apparent in his every action. The horses and dogs were his beloved friends and companions. He considered himself a lucky man to be able to live that life for 80 plus years. Andrew was a kind and gentle man who lived a quiet, humble life doing what he loved most. Andrew is survived by daughters: Helen (Ian) Hoare of Cochrane, Cathy (Murray) Magnusson of Consort, and Diane (Kevin) Stenhouse of Calgary; grandchildren Michelle and Nicole Hoare, Brian and Laura Magnusson and Isaac Stenhouse, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife of 54 years Doris (Dolly); sister Janet; brothers Bryce and Bob; sisters-in-law Alice McCrindle, Phyllis McCrindle, and Jean Lane and brothers-in-law Bill Lane and Peter McDonald. A funeral service for Andrew McCrindle will be held Thursday, June 7, 2018 at the Byemoor Community Hall, Byemoor, Alberta. Andrew will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife Dolly in the Byemoor Cemetery. Donations in memory of Andrew may be made to the Byemoor Cemetery, Consort Hospital Ladies Auxiliary or any local charity.