Andrew SUNAERT

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SUNAERT: It is with deep sadness that the family of Andrew Sunaert announce his sudden passing at the St. Boniface General Hospital in Winnipeg on the morning of December 26, 2008 at the age of 75 years. Andrew was born on May 9, 1933 in the R.M. of Brenda. He was the fourth child born to Gaston and Julia Sunaert. His child years were spent on farms in the Deloraine area with a move to Ontario for a couple of years and then moving to the Waskada district in 1943. In 1945 Gaston passed away leaving Julia and the family to run the farm. In 1947 Julia married Arthur Goethals and in 1948 they along with Andrew and step-brother, Roger, moved to Deloraine to section 2-3-22. Andrew attended school at Flossie, Verona and Hazeldean and then quit to help his parents on the farm. On June 11, 1957 he married the love of his life, Annette Beaudry. They were married 51 wonderful years. Andrew farmed for over 40 years with his step-brother Roger and later son Dan and nephews Dale and Blair. Through farming together a special relationship was formed that will always be treasured. After he retired from farming Andrew still loved to go out to the farm. He was always happy to get that call from the boys asking him if he could go out to harrow, pack or whatever elsethey would need him for. You could always find Andrew in the shop making sure everything was tidy and in it’s right place!! He was an avid welder and made many things for himself to use or others. He could fix almost anything that needed fixing on the farm and took great pride in any project he tackled. You always knew that anything he made would be heavy and would not fall apart. Andrew loved all kinds of sports. He played ball with the Hazeldean ball club, Deloraine Imperials and Deloraine Royals. He was a member of the Deloraine Curling Club and curled for over 50 years attending many bonspiels. He loved to follow the local curlers to many Safeway Selects, Briers and lastly to the Olympic trials in Halifax. He was an avid hunter of all sorts. He enjoyed many deer and moose hunting trips which to this day we have many laughs over. This was the first time in 59 years that Andrew was not able to go hunting. He also enjoyed all kinds of fishing and many good times were had fishing with family and friends. Andrew belonged to the St. Antoninus Parish, Royal Canadian Legion #83 and the Deloraine Golf Course which was a major part of his life in the latter years. He enjoyed golfing to the fullest and went on many golf excursions with Annette and friends. He was always willing to volunteer in any way at the Golf Course putting in countless hours doing whatever needed to be done. Andrew enjoyed hockey. He never missed too many Royals games and always enjoyed the bus trips he and Annette went on when following the team. He followed Dan for over 25 years with the Royals and at present was following his grandchildren when he could. In 1976, we built a cabin at the lake. Andrew enjoyed many hours ski-dooing in the winter and riding on the barge and sea-doo in the summer. The door was always open to family and friends who often spent weekends at the lake and many good times were had by all. Andrew loved a good time and loved to party. He liked to be the first one to arrive and the last one to leave. It didn’t matter younger or older, he could party with them all! He loved to sing and dance. He had a beautiful singing voice and sang at many weddings. Many times while entertaining at home you could be sure that the violin would come out and he would sing and play. “Little Arrows” was always a must! These are memories that we will always cherish. Andrew was predeceased by his sister Jose in 1927, father Gaston Sunaert, mother and step-father Arthur and Julia Goethals, step-brother Roger Goethals, brother Roger Sunaert, sister and brother-in-law Georgette and Toni Hemeryck, father and mother in-law Leo and Elizabeth Beaudry and brother-in-law Julian Breemersch. Left to mourn his passing are his wife and best friend, Annette, children Debra (Wayne) McCallum, Daniel (Kate) Sunaert, Myrna (Phil) Adams, and Teresa (Tony) Bell. Also his ten grandchildren Jocelyn Arthur (fiancé Stephane), Renee and Gaelan McCallum, Jay and Brandan Sunaert, Justin and Miranda Adams, Tristan, Ashton and Samuel Bell. Also, his sister-in-laws Aileen Sunaert, Doreen Goethals, Irene Breemersch, sisters and brothers in-law Aldea and Fred Gervais, Paulette and George Breemersch and Paul and Margie Beaudry and many nieces , nephews and cousins. Also his only Aunt, Jean Vercaigne. Prayers were held at Smith’s Funeral Home on December 30th, 2008 at 7 pm with Deacon Murray Teetaert officiating followed by the funeral service on December 31,2008 at 2 pm at the St. Antoninus Catholic Church with Father Mike Nwosu, celebrant. During the mass readings were done by Lorna Grismer (niece), Debra McCallum (daughter) and Judy Missinne (niece). Gifts were carried by Renee and Ashton (grandchildren). During the offertory, Teresa (daughter) sang a beautiful rendition of “Walk In the Reign” which would have made her Dad proud. The active pallbears were Clark Tweed, Maurice Lesy, Barry Hartel, Dennis Maxwell, Don Morrison and Ron Cassils. Everyone else in attendance were considered Honorary Pallbears. Interment was held at the Deloraine Cemetary with arrangements in care of Smith’s Funeral home. In lieu of flowers you may wish to contribute to the following charities – The Diabetes Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation and the CanadianCancer Society.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 10, 2009