Andre MAIR
In service to One, in service to all.
September 22, 1925 – January 19, 2017
Peacefully, surrounded by family, at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Toronto. Proud husband of Ailish (nee Lyons), father of Ben (Debbie), Ann (Garth) Hope, Andre, and Kevin (Susan), niece Desiree and sister-in-law Anneliese, grandfather and great-grandfather of many, he was a family man first.
Born in Stams, Austria, he had five brothers Anton, Heinrich, Eduard, Benedict and Josef. He served with honour and distinction in World War II with the German Wehrmacht in the 3rd Mountain Division, on the Russian front. Wounded twice in battle, he spent a year as a POW in France after Germany’s surrender. After the war, he picked up his trade again (Journeyman Typesetter) and made a life for himself in Switzerland. While there he had many adventures, including climbing the Matterhorn and skiing the mountains Switzerland is famous for.
In the 1950s he immigrated to Canada and as part of his quest for citizenship, he volunteered to work on the TransCanada Pipeline in British Columbia. There he fell in love with the land and its people. He moved on to work at the Edmonton Sun and while in Edmonton, he met his future wife Ailish, a recent immigrant from Ireland. They married, started a family and moved to Ontario where they took up farming.
Throughout his life, Andre was a proud member of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church and was a respected and well known member of the Knights of Columbus. He supported both organisations fully by volunteering continuously and without hesitation. Always ready to lend a hand, he was a friend to all…
As per his wishes, cremation and a private ceremony will be held shortly. Thank you to the doctors, staff and clergy at St. Joseph’s Health Centre for making his last hours dignified.