Obituary of Thomas Andrews, Glace Bay

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Thomas Clifford Andrews, age 89 on Saturday March 7, 2020 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, NS with loving family at his side. Born in Glace Bay on February 10, 1931, Tommy was the son of the late Clifford Andrews and Ester “Til” (Murphy) Andrews. Employed as a coal miner at a very young age with Devco, working in all the local mines, he ended his career at the Central Shops in Glace Bay as an electrician. His incredible work ethic and ability to repair anything that needed fixing was admired by all who knew him. His love and passion for sports provided him with amazing life-long friends with whom he loved to reminisce and talk about the “good ol’ days”. He excelled in hockey, starting with Bantam & Midget in Reserve Mines, juvenile with St. John’s, 3 years with the Glace Bay Junior Miners, Intermediate with the Morien Shamrocks and best remembered as a flashy right winger for 5 years with the Glace Bay Senior Miners. Tommy was an avid Boston Bruins fan. He is also remembered for playing softball with Park St., the 1961 Hall of Fame Caledonia Acesteams, while finishing up as player-coach of the Maritime Intermediate C Softball Champs with McKay’s Corner Coriano in 1965. Fondly remembered as Big Poppa by all of his great-grandchildren, they will surely miss the big Bear Hugs and getting their favourite cookies from the buffet cupboard. Tommy is survived by his loving wife of 71 years Theresa (Madore) Andrews, sons Arnold Andrews (Mary Lou), Barry Andrews, loving daughter, Juanita Taylor (Bobby Gillis) and sister Mary Carroll. Also survived by 8 Grandchildren, Sheri Lee, Melissa, Allison, Chris, Melanie, Megan, Alicia and Garrett; 15 Great-Grandchildren, Katelyn, Austin, Brittany, Samantha, Leo, Nathan, Sara, Bryden, Connor, Dawson, Paige, Greyson, Daxson, Jaxson, and Brody and 4 Great- Great Grandchildren, Kaiya, Mason, Maddox and Quinten. He was also predeceased by sisters, Vivian (Dunnie) Virtue (brother-in-law, Willie), Renee LaBelle (brother-in-law, Clarence), brother, Joseph “Booie” Andrews (loving sister-in-law, Dolores), brother-in-law, Edward Carroll and son-in-law, Kirk Taylor who passed away on the same day as Tommy, exactly 23 years ago. The family wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful nurses and homecare workers who cared for dad during his most recent illness. A special thank you to Dr. David Ley, Dr. MacFarlane, Dr. Mark Ellerker, Dr. Jamie MacLean and especially Sandra Toner which dad thought the world of. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 11th from 5 pm to 9 pm in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, Chapel & Reception Center, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay. The funeral mass officiated by Fr. Dan Boudreau is Thursday at 11 am in St. Joseph’s Church, Reserve Mines followed by a reception in the church hall. Interment at a later date in MacLeod’s Crossing. Memorial donations are welcomed to the Lung Association of N.S. and the N.S. Heart & Stroke Foundation. On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca