1950 – 2024
Andy Serink passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 22, 2024 after a two -year battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by Irene, his wife and partner in life for 52 years, son Ian and wife Dana, and their children Adam and Brittan; daughter Jillian and husband Rob MacPhee and their child RK (Robert), and daughter Amy and husband Andrew Nuytten, and their children Sophie and Finlee. He is also survived by his brother and best friend Darwin and wife Linda, brother Kelsey and wife Connie, sisters Marlene Stutt, and Gaile and husband Larry Schneider: Irene’s siblings and their spouses, Lynda and Don Bland, Rick and Stella Rowswell, Judi and Jerry Woytack, Mac and Jeannie Rowswell, Garth and Luanne Rowswell and Ian Rowswell, as well as many nephews and nieces and their children.
He was predeceased by his father and mother, Mike and Anne Serink, and in-laws Dick and Winnie Rowswell.
He was born November 25, 1950, and raised on a farm east of Gibbons and south of Redwater. He was very proud of his farming background and continued to farm with his brother Darwin until 2006. He also worked 10 years for Imperial Oil – Redwater Fertilizer plant, then ventured out as a contract pipeline welder and later consultant in the oilfield industry. He garnered many friends and associates along the way. He was hard-working, strong and determined, and courageous to the end. We will miss him dearly, but he will always remain in our hearts and thoughts.
The family would like to thank all the doctors and staff over the past two years at the Cross Cancer, the UofA Hospital, Fort Sask. Community Hospital, Rivercrest Hospice, our local physician Dr. Osuagwu, and the palliative care team out of Morinville and Edmonton, as well as all the staff at Gibbons Remedy Rx. Andy was given the best care and attention by all of them.
We would also like to thank all the family, friends and neighbours who kept in constant contact with Andy over the past two years and took his mind off his illness. He was very strong, but your support helped keep him going and will not be forgotten.
He won’t have any lawns to mow or snow to push around, but if there are conversations to be had in the afterlife, then he will play an integral part in those. Never met anyone who could garner so much information out of complete strangers in a brief encounter – he loved life and people, his Chesapeake dogs and his cars, sports, reading and music. Most importantly he loved and was very proud of his children and their spouses and his grandchildren – they will keep his spirit alive.
Andy asked that we have a “Celebration of Life” in warmer weather, so we will honour that request and will follow up with family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local food bank or charity of choice.