We sadly regret to inform you that Andre (Andy) Landry passed away on April 8, 2024 at the Portage Hospital at the age of 75 years old.
Andy was born on April 17, 1948, in Granby, Quebec. His parents were Romuald and Rita Landry. He is survived by his loving wife Ana Lisa of 3 years of Portage la Prairie. Left to mourn are his 2 children, his daughter Claudine and son René (Alison) and 5 granddaughters; his sister Louise (Jean). In the Philippines, he is mourned by his mother-in-law Gregoria Fajardo, brother-in-law Arthur (Jean) and their children Gabriel and Senna, and brother-in-law Allan (Mavell), numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends. Dad was fondly referred to as airplane grandpa by his two granddaughters Madison and Lily.
He is predeceased by his loved and missed wife Irene of 50 years, his parents, his in-laws Ernest and Marie Gagne, Jeanne and Bill Burke, and his nephew Paul Burke. Dad grew up in the beautiful French speaking city of Granby with his loving family. Dad started his schooling learning French, but he excelled learning the English language. On the weekends, dad enjoyed working at a gas station helping fill up the cars with gas, doing oil changes, and refilling flat tires. These skills he learned at an early age helped him later in life. One of dad’s past times was to head to car auctions to bid on some car that he would tow home to bring back to life.
In his twelfth year of schooling, dad had decided to leave and join the Air Force instead. His parents were proud and encouraged him to do so. Dad was trained to be a mechanic on the Hercules planes. While in the Air Force, he was stationed to Portage la Prairie, Manitoba to do some training. This is where dad met mom and in 1969, they got married. Claudine was born here in 1971, while Rene was born in Germany in 1973 after being transferred overseas.
In 1976, dad got transferred to Edmonton, Alberta where he spent the last of his Air Force days. He went on many training expeditions and was able to travel the world. After dad retired from the Air Force, him and mom created a janitorial cleaning service that cleaned car dealerships and apartment buildings. This was very hard demanding work on both their bodies.
At 40 years old, dad started attending night school to earn his Power Engineering degree while still working during the day. With this Power Engineering degree, dad’s career started by working at the Sturgeon General Hospital in Alberta, later at Parmalat in St. Claude, and at the Portage District General Hospital where he made many friends.
After dad retired from the hospital, he volunteered his time to drive for Central Plains Cancer Services and Portage Service for Seniors. Most recently dad was working for Visions of Independence. Many people would describe dad as such a friendly and caring man. They would even request his services. Dad always was there to help friends and family when called upon.
Dad had many hobbies throughout his life. In his younger years, he was an avid photographer as he documented his travels overseas. Dad always had music in the background when he was working, studying, or driving. He had an extensive collection of records and proudly built himself his own entertainment center to hold them all. Dad loved camping and fishing despite protests from his wife and daughter. He enjoyed watching Young and the Restless when he could catch it on T.V. Every Sunday you could count on dad sitting, watching NASCAR and Indy car racing. If he was not home, you didn’t have to worry because he was taping it also. On one occasion, dad was so excited to head to Edmonton to go with Rene to watch some live car racing. Dad enjoyed watching the Winnipeg Jets play whenever his schedule allowed. We would analyze how the Jets played or not played when we talked in the evening.
Dad loved working with his hands to fix and build things from used cars, converting a milk truck to a camper, to fixing basements and putting additions to houses. He took so much pride in his work and it showed. If dad didn’t know how to do something, he would look it up on YouTube and before that he would buy the right book for the job. Dad loved travelling throughout Canada and the USA with the family. He enjoyed finding some good deals at the stores and trying his luck at doubling his money at the casinos. Dad loved heading to Tim Horton’s to get himself his morning or afternoon cup of coffee.
Andy met Ana for the first time when he picked her up to drive her for Cancer Care 2016. She admired him because he was easy to talk to and made a great companion. They would share their life stories as they travelled back and forth to Winnipeg. Ana would show her appreciation by buying him treats from the Filipino store or take him out to eat at restaurants. They started building a friendship together as the months passed by. This friendship blossomed into love. Andy and Ana would go for car rides, head to Winnipeg for shopping trips, and try out new restaurants. Andy was introduced to Filipino foods, customs, and the family. He was always surprised with all the food and people around each celebration. They got married in October 2020. As a husband, he was always loving and caring to Ana. Andy will be missed by many new friends and family that he met through Ana.
Dad will be missed ALWAYS AND FOREVER. Until we meet again. LOVE YOU!!
Prayers will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 7:00 pm at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church at 11:00 am. The service will be recorded and uploaded to Andy’s obituary page once available. Burial at Evergreen Memorial Gardens will happen at a later date.
Donation in memory of Andy may be made to Central Plains Cancer Services 318 Saskatchewan Ave E, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8 or to The Heart and Stroke Foundation Box 460 Stn. K, Toronto, ON, M4P 9Z9.
A tree will be planted and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 204-857-4021
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Starts at 7:00 pm (Central time)
McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church
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