Andrew Bird

Andrew Thomas Bird

December 18, 1953 -  April 24, 2017

Peacefully on April 24 after a courageous battle with cancer with family by his side, Andrew (Husband, Dad, Papa) passed away at the age of 64 in Portage.

Predeceased by his parents, Malcolm Thomas Bird and Lilian Ethel Bird  (Brewer).  Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Nellie, of 41 years; daughter Jennifer (David) Roy of Portage, daughter Angela (Joshua) Rempel of Winnipeg and son Shawn Bird of Winnipeg;  grandchildren, Jordann Zimmer of Edmonton, Kiera and Sarah Roy of Portage and a little grandson on the way; brother, Peter (Jane) Bird of White Rock, B.C.; sister-in-law, Gerry (Allen) Dell and brother-in-law, Harry (Janet) Peeters;  aunt  Darlene Cohen; honorary brothers, Bruce Cook and Robert McMillian and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and family abroad in England and the Netherlands.

Andrew was born and raised in Portage.  He attended Portage Collegiate Institute and Red River Community College where he graduated from Culinary Arts and Applied Counselling.

Dad married the love of his life, Nellie on August 9, 1975.  He had established a 22 year military career with the 26th Field Regiment; a career he shared with his wife and was proud of.  He retired from the artillery as Chief Warrant Officer.

In addition to the military he had an ambitious 27 year culinary career as caterer and instructor/mentor with the department of justice/corrections.  His family and friends looked forward to enjoying up to 6 course meals at the Bird house.  He became a member of The Canadian Federation of Chef de Cuisine.  This was a skill and passion that he passed on to his three children.

After retirement he went back to college to further his education in applied counselling after which he spent several years as a Nee Kee Papa Coordinator (I am your father) with the Manitoba Metis Federation.  A proud part of his heritage.

Aside from cooking, he enjoyed being with family and friends, he had a love for history, music, gardening and weekends at the lake.

Dads company was always full of stories, laughter and full bellies.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel at 11:00 am.  Private family interment will take place at the columbarium in Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

If friends so wish donations in memory of Andrew may be made to the Crohns & Colitis Foundation, PO Box 20009 - 3310 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R3K 2E5 or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation 2430 Victoria Ave #3, Brandon, MB R7B 0M5 or to a cancer charity of your choice.

A tree will be planted and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 204-857-4021