ANDREW SLOUGH

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ANDREW SLOUGH

It is with the most profound sadness that we announce the sudden, tragic passing of Andrew Slough. Although it still seems inexplicable, we understand we lost Andrew because he developed a blood clot in his lung, eventually causing cardiac arrest. Despite heroic efforts and the most fervent hopes and prayers, he died at St. Boniface Hospital on February 7, 2023. Words cannot express our great gratitude to the skilled and compassionate medical team who cared for Andrew with such tenderness in his final days.
Andrew was born on Saturday July 13, 1985 at 11:11 a.m. in Winnipeg. Although our time with Andrew was far, far too short, perhaps his 'lucky' time of birth was an omen for the beautiful, often charmed life he would go on to lead. Andrew had so much fun growing up near his beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and grandma Joan, just a short walk away. Andrew and his cousin, Brett, born only months apart, became particularly close and were not only cousins but best friends. He went all through school at St. John's Ravenscourt, which was perhaps the most formative experience of his life. He excelled at public speaking and debate, but especially at making friends. As the legend goes, chants of "Slough! Slough! Slough!" could sometimes be heard emanating from his classroom. The friends Andrew made at SJR became his second family.
After completing a BA at University of Winnipeg, Andrew took his first run at law school, which proved to be a tad premature. But that was OK, because he took a pause and worked for several years selling insurance. He often reflected how the 'people skills' he developed from working in sales enriched his later work and other areas of his life. Another upside to Andrew's 'second time's a charm' approach to law school was that he met his partner, Elizabeth, during the first week of his second attempt. She is so deeply grateful that he didn't finish law school the first time, and that he came back to try again.
During law school, Andrew was partnered with Shimon Leibl to participate in the school negotiations competition. Although they didn't know each other well previously, Andrew and Shimon went on to crush the negotiations game together. From Robson Hall, they proceeded to win regional, national and North American negotiations titles, and finally to win the 2015 World Championships in Dublin, Ireland. Andrew was mercifully modest about his title, maybe partly because Elizabeth liked to remind him it was a really niche thing to be a 'world' champion of.
Andrew proudly followed in his dad, Don's, footsteps by articling then practicing with Manitoba Justice - Prosecutions. It is difficult to describe in few words what Andrew took from, and brought to, his work there. Simply put, he loved his job. He thrived amongst his gifted and generous colleagues, and treasured so many of them as dear friends. Andrew quickly developed into a talented, principled and compassionate prosecutor. At the time of his passing, Andrew was learning so much working in high risk prosecutions, taking on complex cases including homicides. That was the kind of work he really wanted to do, and we're so glad he got a chance to do it. From his days in traffic court as an articling student, to his final day of work preparing for an appeal in the province's highest court, he never failed to see the humanity in the individuals he prosecuted.
While Andrew loved his work, he was efficient about it because he really loved leisure time, too. His most special place was Clearwater Bay, Lake of the Woods, where he spent all the wonderful summers of his life. Andrew's mid-summer birthday was a banner day for the whole family, marked with a meal cooked with great love and flair by his mom and dad, followed by a 'push in party' with the extended family (who were right next door at the lake, too).
Thanks to the generosity of his beloved grandma Joan, he also developed a great love for Siesta Key, FL, where he made some of his favourite memories with his siblings and cousins. He was so looking forward to going back this March after too many years away. No matter where he was, Andrew loved sitting by water and soaking up the sun. His passion for craft cocktails was ever-growing, and he developed an encyclopedic knowledge of ingredients and techniques. Happily, he shared this talent with others. He was also passionate about his personal style, with some of his earliest memories being outfits he'd worn in toddlerhood. Andrew was always so pleased to be asked by other guys for fashion guidance. A colleague dubbed him "The Gentleman Lawyer", a moniker which spoke to both his good manners and his lovely taste in clothes. He delighted in games, most especially hockey, bridge, poker and NFL fantasy football. A lover of all kinds of sweets and treats, he especially loved ice cream, which he felt fitting as a very proud descendent of the Speirs family, of Modern Dairies and Crescent Creamery. His greatest joy in recent years was getting to know his little nephews, nieces, and the children of his cousins and friends. He was a creative and generous uncle, giving of his time and energy, creating magical worlds and daring adventures. He prioritized Sunday dinners with the family at his parents' house, always adding his special touch to the meal and gathering. Andrew and Elizabeth bought a house in 2021, and were having the most wonderful time continuing to grow their life together there.
Andrew was predeceased by his grandparents, Raymond and Cecile Slough, his grandfather Douglas Speirs, his aunt Ellen Gabelmann, and his deeply cherished William the dog.
He is survived by his partner, Elizabeth Mitchell, parents, Don Slough and Leslie Speirs, brother Matthew, sister Kristy Devantier (Chris, Owen and Connor), grandma Joan Speirs, aunts, Barbara Thiessen (Jim), Lorraine Penman (Scott), and cousins, Lauren, Brett, Jill, Holly, Steven and their families, Elizabeth's family Grant Mitchell and Cal Lambeth, Samantha, Ainsley (Peter, Isla and Rose) and so many cherished friends.
We are immensely proud that Andrew is an organ donor. We encourage those wishing to honour Andrew's memory to also consider organ donation, and to make a donation to the Main Street Project directed to emergency shelter, their area of greatest, urgent need.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, South Building.

For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit www.chapellawn.ca

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home
204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 11, 2023