NICHOLAS ANDRUSCO

With profound sadness, the family of Nicholas Andrusco announces his sudden passing on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009.
Nick leaves behind his cherished wife of 67 years, Mary (Pidlubny); his adored children, Nikki (Martin) O’Connor, Peter (Michelle), Ruth (David) Tupper, and Marina (Cameron) Gray.
He was a loving “Gigi” to his grandchildren, Daniel O’Connor, John and Michael (Agnieszka) Andrusco, Andrew Tupper, and Nicholas and Elizabeth Gray.
He also is survived by his beloved brother, Walter; and several nieces and nephews who affectionately called him “Kolya.”
He was predeceased by his parents, Theodore and Mary; and his brother, Emil.
Nick was born Oct. 25, 1918 in Ukraine. He emigrated to Canada in 1930 with his mother to join his father and two brothers.
His family settled in Fort Frances, Ont., where his gift of music and his love for his Ukrainian roots continued to flourish. It also is where he met and married his wife, Mary, in 1942.
He joined the Royal Canadian Army marching band in 1939 and upon discharge in 1945, he returned to Fort Frances, where he resumed working at the paper mill.
He retired as Payroll Supervisor in 1982.
Throughout this life, Nick remained active and involved in his community. He played various instruments in the Fort Frances town band and “The Paul Bunyan Band” in International Falls, Mn.
He had his own dance band that became well-known throughout the district.
He was a 50-year member of the Masons, and also a member of the Border Shrine Club. As well, he was a 60-year member of the Royal Canadian Legion and a lifetime member of the Ukrainian Orthodox faith–both in Canada and the U.S.
Besides spending precious time with his family, Nick loved being at his cabin on Rainy Lake. His retirement years were spent wintering in Florida, where he and Mary continued to lead active lives.
In recent years, time spent with the “Coffee Gang” at McDonald’s was something he looked forward to daily.
His zest for life will be missed by all who knew him.
A funeral service will be held Friday, Nov. 20, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. Fr. Wayne McIntosh and Rev. Barbara Murray will officiate, with interment in the Fort Frances Cemetery in Fort Frances.
The pallbearers will be Nick’s grandchildren, Daniel O’Connor, John Andrusco, Michael Andrusco, Andrew Tupper, Nicholas Gray, and Elizabeth Gray.
The honourary pallbearers will be all of Nick’s close friends who meant so much to him.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the La Verendrye General Hospital Intensive Care Unit or the charity of your choice c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com