Andrew James Summerhayes

After a 15 month battle with cancer, it is with great sadness I announce the passing of my dear brother, Andrew James (Drew-Bob) Summerhayes, in his 61st year.  He passed quietly at his home just outside South River, Ontario, with his loving partner Chantelle Poisson at his side.  Adoring father to Holly Fraser and proud and doting Grandfather to Garen and Naborhe Orere.  Son of the late Reverend Stuart F. Summerhayes and Joy Lewis of Huntsville. Brother of David (Trish) of Markham and Graham (Sharon) of Niagara on the Lake.  Uncle to Zach, Lukas, Kassandra, Claire and Charlotte (Cheeseburger).

Andrew was a kind soul.  He was easy-going and fun loving.  He was a man of the outdoors who would regale you with hilarious stories of his adventures living and working in the great white north.   He was born in Edmonton, Alberta, grew up as a young child in Long Branch (Toronto), moved to The Beaches (Toronto) during primary school and lived in Don Mills (Toronto) and attended Victoria Park for high school. Shortly thereafter he moved up to live in Muskoka where he'd spent all his summers growing up as a child on Lake of Bays, and he remained in the Huntsville area for the rest of his life.

Andrew was an excellent athlete, most notably as a hockey player and MTHL champion who was drafted by the Markham Waxer's junior "A" team.  In the summers he was into water sports.  He loved swimming and boating and was an exceptional water skier.  His canoeing skills won him a number of awards at the Lake of Bays Regattas including having his name engraved in the Tilting Championship Trophy.

Andrew was a great carpenter, building and renovating homes, including four of his own.  A little later in his career he began making live edge furniture that was beautiful, unique and which many considered works of art.   He took great pride in all he did and was never satisfied until the job was done right.  The gauge he used to judge his work was the satisfaction and happiness his clients felt when they saw the final product.

As a friend Andrew was loyal to a fault.  He was always there when you needed a hand and never left until all was taken care of.  He was a life long dog lover who preferred the bigger dogs until Paco the chihuahua came into his life in his later years.  He was always up for a good time and loved fishing, golfing, boating, snowmobiling, ATVing and barbecuing (ribs being his specialty).  He was able to travel out east and out west with Chantelle in his last year and some of his favourite stories are about he and his life long/best friend Dale Robson's fishing adventures.

Andrew brought fun and happiness to all those whose path he crossed and he will be dearly missed.

By request, no flowers please.

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