Obituary for Andy Christian
Mr. Andy Ross Christian passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2022 in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
He was born in Fort Frances, Ontario on October 25, 1951 to Donald and Johanna Christian. Andy was one of seven siblings. Childhood was always busy swimming, hunting, trapping, reading, paper route and helping to build the cabin at Reef Point.
He belonged to Sea Cadets and played the Bag Pipes in the Pipe Band. His mode of transportation early was a 1956 Chevy and a Honda motorcycle.
From a young age Andy’s biggest interest was construction and construction equipment. His father was in the construction industry and Andy followed in his footsteps.
Andy married his high school sweetheart Trudy (Dolk) in 1972. They welcomed their daughter Shae in 1973 and daughter Misty in 1977.
Andy got his AZ Truck License, then college to become a mechanic, then crane operator, then Master Mechanic. He was a proud member of Operation Engineers for 40 years. He could run any piece of equipment and repair it too. Andy was a workaholic. He always said if - you are happy at what you are doing, you will never work a day in your life. For him this was true. He worked for different pipeline companies across Canada until the 90’s. He then became part owner of MLA Construction Company.
Then in 2012 he became part owner of LH Crane until his cancer diagnosis took precedent. He had worked in the north in the 90’s doing a sewer and water job and with the help of a crew member saved the lives of his crew from an intruder with a gun in the middle of night.
Andy had a Scottish background and people would tease that he was cheap. He would wear his coveralls until his wife would not add any more patches on them. He was more than practical, make things last.
Andy was not a big man but he took up a lot of space and people knew when he was in a room.
Andy became a move star when Ritchie Brothers Auction was in town and videoed the auction. The show was called “Selling Big”. He was recognizable by his gold tooth.
He accomplished his visions for life. He lived and breathed Caterpillar yellow and Link-Belt red.
He was predeceased by his parents Donald and Johanna Christian.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Trudy, daughter Shae (Steve), grandchildren Cohen, Piper, Chase of Fort Frances, Ont., granddaughter Nicole (Joel) great grandson James of Detroit, Michigan. Daughter Misty (Mick) granddaughter Clover of Western Australia. Siblings Gary (Carolyn), Deena, Edward, Susan (Henry), Leslie (Patty) and Keith. Special friend Aaron. Wonderful nieces and nephews and special god sons Chris Christian and Brian Christian.
Cremation has taken place with a celebration of life to take place in the summer when family and friends can gather in Fort Frances.
REST IN PEACE – NO MORE PAIN.
Thanks to the doctors and nurses that worked hard to make Andy’s last month more comfortable.
He was born in Fort Frances, Ontario on October 25, 1951 to Donald and Johanna Christian. Andy was one of seven siblings. Childhood was always busy swimming, hunting, trapping, reading, paper route and helping to build the cabin at Reef Point.
He belonged to Sea Cadets and played the Bag Pipes in the Pipe Band. His mode of transportation early was a 1956 Chevy and a Honda motorcycle.
From a young age Andy’s biggest interest was construction and construction equipment. His father was in the construction industry and Andy followed in his footsteps.
Andy married his high school sweetheart Trudy (Dolk) in 1972. They welcomed their daughter Shae in 1973 and daughter Misty in 1977.
Andy got his AZ Truck License, then college to become a mechanic, then crane operator, then Master Mechanic. He was a proud member of Operation Engineers for 40 years. He could run any piece of equipment and repair it too. Andy was a workaholic. He always said if - you are happy at what you are doing, you will never work a day in your life. For him this was true. He worked for different pipeline companies across Canada until the 90’s. He then became part owner of MLA Construction Company.
Then in 2012 he became part owner of LH Crane until his cancer diagnosis took precedent. He had worked in the north in the 90’s doing a sewer and water job and with the help of a crew member saved the lives of his crew from an intruder with a gun in the middle of night.
Andy had a Scottish background and people would tease that he was cheap. He would wear his coveralls until his wife would not add any more patches on them. He was more than practical, make things last.
Andy was not a big man but he took up a lot of space and people knew when he was in a room.
Andy became a move star when Ritchie Brothers Auction was in town and videoed the auction. The show was called “Selling Big”. He was recognizable by his gold tooth.
He accomplished his visions for life. He lived and breathed Caterpillar yellow and Link-Belt red.
He was predeceased by his parents Donald and Johanna Christian.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Trudy, daughter Shae (Steve), grandchildren Cohen, Piper, Chase of Fort Frances, Ont., granddaughter Nicole (Joel) great grandson James of Detroit, Michigan. Daughter Misty (Mick) granddaughter Clover of Western Australia. Siblings Gary (Carolyn), Deena, Edward, Susan (Henry), Leslie (Patty) and Keith. Special friend Aaron. Wonderful nieces and nephews and special god sons Chris Christian and Brian Christian.
Cremation has taken place with a celebration of life to take place in the summer when family and friends can gather in Fort Frances.
REST IN PEACE – NO MORE PAIN.
Thanks to the doctors and nurses that worked hard to make Andy’s last month more comfortable.