April 25, 1944 - November 23, 2020
Andrew James Trussler, 76, passed on November 23, 2020 following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Andy was born in Brownsburg, Quebec to Helen and William Trussler (predeceased). He grew up in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. As a teen he loved playing hockey, downhill skiing and visiting the family dairy farm, Mapleburn. He spent his fair share of hours working at Trussler Hardware and later as a junior forest ranger. He trained as an elementary school teacher and began working in Elliot Lake for the North Shore Board of Education in 1965. He spent his entire career as an educator and principal at the NSBE. As a new teacher, he was introduced, on a blind date, to a young nurse in town. That is the story of how he met the woman he would be married to for 53 years, Diane (nee McDonald) Trussler. Diane and Andy were married in 1967 and within a few years had started a family which eventually resulted in three daughters: Andrea Storie (Jonathan), Pamela Sottosanti (John) and Cynthia Kobel (Damien). As a young family, they loved to travel, and he ensured his children experienced every province of the country, often camping along the way. An avid outdoorsman, he made sure his daughters learned water-skiing, boating, snowmobiling and downhill skiing. He embraced all the outdoor adventures the north had to offer. They also recall long summer weeks in Sesekinika at the Trussler family cottage. Later in life, he began to collect and train husky dogs, enough to build his own dog sled team where he enjoyed mushing on Northern trails. Being a loving and dependable husband and father was of the utmost importance to Andy. He put his family first and spent every spare moment of his time coming up with the next adventure. He wholeheartedly loved his children and grandchildren and particularly reveled in the title GRAMPAW.
He and Diane spent their retirement years in their dream home on the shore of the North Channel with the ever changing views of Mitchell and Round Islands. He loved the lake for ice fishing, kayaking, boating, and trails for sled dogs.
Andy was cherished as the most wonderful son, husband and father by his mother Helen, his wife Diane and his daughters Andrea, Pamela and Cynthia.
Our beloved Grampaw will be greatly missed by grandchildren:
Matthew, Phillip, Julia, Ella, Audrey, Ben, Alexandre and Emma but remembered for many wonderful times at Grampaw’s lake.
Andy will be fondly remembered by siblings: Grace Aoki (Fred), Tom Trussler, John Trussler (Sue) and in laws Wayne McDonald (Judy), Connie Carter (Terry), and Dale Melis (Paul)
Thank you to family and friends for your support and to the staff at North Shore Health Network and Golden Birches for their compassionate care. Special thank you to Dr. Snojdrova.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made directly to the Rotary Club of Elliot Lake by mailing cheques to P.O.Box 111 Elliot Lake, ON P5A 2J6 or to the Rotary Club of Blind River by mailing cheques to 17 Restaurant, 2 Woodward Avenue, Blind River, ON P0R 1B0.