June 4, 2003 – January 1, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Andrew Kehl, who passed away suddenly on January 1, 2026, at the age of 22. Andrew was a young man of steady strength and deep loyalty-a quiet guy to those who didn’t know him, but a source of endless laughter to those who did.
Andrew was a gifted athlete from the time he was a little boy. He was a natural in a variety of sports. But it was on the ice where he truly shone. Starting at the age of four, hockey became his strength and his second home. He was a standout player who lived for the grit of the game and the lifelong camaraderie of playing “with the boys.”
Drew lived by a simple code: he worked hard, and he played even harder. Currently in his fourth year of his electrical apprenticeship, he was respected for his grit and his solid work ethic. He brought that same intensity to everything he loved.
Nowhere was that grit more evident than in the bush. Hunting was Andrew’s true passion, and he was a force of nature in the elements. Propelled by his long legs, he moved through the bush and through cuts with crazy speed, leaving others in his wake as he navigated the thickest brush with ease. He was at his happiest in the wild, or lining up a shot on the golf course with his friends..
While he was a natural in the rink and the woods, Andrew was famously unlucky with a fishing rod. He loved being on the water, but he couldn’t clean a fish to save his life-though he certainly tried his hardest every single time. Those “no-catch” days, punctuated by his quick smile and goofy giggle, became the legendary stories his friends will tell for years.
At home, Drew was the typical big brother. He shared a unique and devoted bond with his sisters; he was the brother who would do whatever Caryss told him to do, always following her lead with a quiet smile. At the same time, he was the fierce protector of his younger sister, Reese, “loving her harder than any other could.” He was the brother who taught them, argued with them, and kept them safe.
From day one, Andrew and his cousin Alex were a package deal. Constantly called by the wrong names or mistaken for twins, they were inseparable. While Alex was the “big brother” of the duo, they navigated every milestone of life side-by-side, creating many crazy adventures and even more stories.
That brotherhood extended to his tight-knit pack of cousins and an incredible group of friends who were his second family. Together, they shared countless adventures, from golf tournaments to late-night bonfires while ice fishing. Andrew was the quiet heart of the group-a loyal friend who would do anything for his crew.
Andrew’s 22 years were packed with more life and loyalty than most find in a century. While he’s no longer on the trails or the ice with us, we know he’s looking out for everyone—likely with a bag of BBQ spitz and a cell phone that needs charging.
Andrew is survived by parents Glenna and Cuffy; sisters Caryss and Reese; cousins Evan, Cole, Alex, Scott, Eric, Jacqueline, Jasper, Mason, and Kiana; aunts and uncles Sian and Mike Krassey, David and Cheryl Williams, Bryn and Tara Williams, and Tammy and Mike Plouffe; grandparents Nain and Taid (Lyn and Bleddyn Williams); and Grandma Roberta Kehl.
Predeceased by grandpa Randy Kehl.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Atikokan Royal Canadian Legion, O’Brien St, Atikokan, Ont., P0W 1E0
Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home Ltd., Emo, Ontario.
