Andrew Michael Wooldridge

1949 - 2024

WOOLDRIDGE, Andrew Michael
August 23, 1949 - August 2, 2024
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Andy, on August 2, 2024, after a year long illness and a short sudden decline. Our joyful lad was friends to many, and part of an adoring extended family including his wife Deb, siblings Stephanie, Peter and Sandy (deceased), in- laws Ken (Lannie), Rod (Hazel), Liam (Heather), and Pam, step/adopted children Spencer, Jacqueline (Pelle), Owen (Shannon) and much-loved grandchildren Charlie, Freja, Farrah and Naia. Other members of his adopted Canadian family include Charlie and Leonard Mitchell, Callayna Jardey, and Nick and Kris Coats.
Andy was firstborn to Michael and Liz Wooldridge at RAF Abyad, Egypt, and raised in Birmingham and Hereford, England. He attended the Southampton College of Art and Design where his passion for painting initiated a lifelong career. He subsequently lived and exhibited in England, Israel and Australia before visiting BC in 1984, and becoming a proud Canadian in 1987. Based in Victoria, he enjoyed a long and successful 40-year career as a professional painter, ever appreciative of doing the work he loved best.
Our Andy led a spirited, diverse and adventurous life. Beyond art, he loved music (Tom Waits, The Kinks and Shostakovich), fishing, murder mystery performing, English football (Up the Villa!) animals and stray humans. A volunteer for over 25 years at Victoria Hospice, he was fiercely devoted to family and friends and especially kind to those in need. He was opinionated about things that mattered but possessed a rapier wit that kept us laughing. To quote a close friend 'Andy was bigger than life in every way. An outsized talent, great raconteur, and funny, he filled a room - but the biggest thing about him was his heart. He was generous, kind and loving. He leaves a huge hole'.
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in Andy's care; especially Drs' Jennifer Lush, Nick Bosma, Jody Anderson and Douglas McGregor, HCCN Juliana and the kind nurses, counsellors and volunteers at Victoria Hospice and BC Cancer Clinic. You'll never know how grateful we are.
Rest well dear one: you have loved deeply, and been deeply loved in return.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, September 7th, 2024, 2:00 pm in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC with a reception to follow. For those unable to attend in person, livestreaming will be available. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Victoria Hospice or any animal rescue organization.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallgardens.com