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Andrew Lester Gatlin
Andrew Lester Gatlin
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Andrew Gatlin Obituary
He devoted himself to his daughters, Cathy and Cindy, to ensure their happiness and wellbeing. He took them on adventurous camping trips creating lifetime memories and in each girl he inspired a passion for the great outdoors. He selected his career based on his ability to spend more time with his girls. He was the best dad a kid could ask for.
Nothing brought him more joy than his grandchildren. From shooting nerf guns with Matthew, to makeovers with Clara, to his youngest, Gigi, with whom he would sit for hours and read endless stories.
He was an avid swimmer, bridge fanatic, formidable ping pong opponent, clay target aficionado and chef extraordinaire. A self-described homegrown country boy from Oklahoma and Texas, he maintained a fierce intellect and loved little more than deep and meaningful conversations, preferably held far past bedtime.
A lifelong fan of Reese peanut butter cups, a coffee connoisseur who entertained his family with his various coffee contraptions, his favorite way to spend a Sunday was a nice brunch with family and friends while ending his afternoon reading the paper. His favorite smell was an Ontario lake when he first woke up on a camping trip. When asked if there was anything he experienced in his life that he thought everyone should experience, his answer was love.
Sadly, on Monday February 24th, 2025, Andy succumbed to complications from non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He fought a valiant and brave fight over more than nine months. Within days of the end, he stated he had only lived as long as he had due to the love of his family.
He is survived by his son-in-law Wai Ming Fong, sister-in-law Kathleen Gatlin and nieces, Edie and Leah Gatlin along with extended family. His many friends will miss his gentle soul, his gentlemanly behavior and his ability to make a roomful of people laugh.
A celebration of life is planned for June 28, 2025, in Toronto, Canada. Details to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to https://www.bloodcancers.ca
Today we ask you to post a story about Andy on this site to allow us to relive his life. Your memories and photos are deeply appreciated by his family.
Dad, if love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.
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Mona Panchal
May 26, 2025
Andy was a wonderful neighbour. Loved to see him running past my house. He was a very active guy and certainly an interesting fellow to discuss stuff with. Good sense of humour. And it was obvious to all of us that he and Rosie were wonderful together. Andy will be deeply missed. Mona
David Abel
March 11, 2025
Andy and I were both members of the Crescent Town Club where for more than a few decades we greeted one another in the locker room and swam together in the pool. But then just before the Covid19 years we began to play ping pong and what had just been a cordial relationship blossomed into raucous delight and friendship as we hammered ping pong balls at one another and laughed uproariously. Andy loved ping pong and so did I. When I developed a hip problem, Andy was good enough to play with me seated on a stool, doing his best to direct the balls within my reach. A generous fine gentleman. I am already missing those times together. We also both loved to swim and would go to the pool after ping pong and then to have coffee and more conversation where we got to know one another more personally. Andy had an engaging mind, read widely and loved the theater which fired his emotional intelligence as well. He talked often about his daughters and Rosie, and his grandchildren. I will miss Andy.
The Robinson´s
March 10, 2025
For 26 years the Robinson family has been blessed with the very best neighbours you could have with Andy standing tall among them. A kind, generous, outgoing spirit he could be found among us out on a daily walk, arms swinging or towering on our couch sharing Christmas cheer. When illness hit he wasn´t deterred, no he was out again getting his steps in and sharing more stories step by step. Rest in peace our dear friend. Kim, Rob, Jenna, Haley.
Dave Daniel, VHS Class of 65
March 9, 2025
ANDREW LESTER GATLIN
I am sure there will be many fond remembrances of Andy - I would like to add a tale or two which may (or may not!) enhance the celebration.
Andy and his family moved to Vinita when we were in high school. His brother Harvey was four years younger than us; Harvey went on to serve in the Ministry in and around the Vinita/Grove area. Andy's dad Walter had purchased a grain elevator alongside the MKT tracks on the southeast side of Vinita where he loaded local corn, wheat, and other grain products into freight cars for shipping throughout the United States. Andy's mother Helen was quite well educated, and had a father who was a professor at Washington University in Saint Louis, as I recall. One of Andy's favorite childhood memories was listening to his maternal grandfather read to him in Greek; Andy said he never understood a word of it but thought was beautiful and he loved to listen. I hope that love stuck with him for life.
Andy and I were in the Explorer Scout group together; our leader, Jim Moore, a local car dealer, for some reason chose to call Andy "Grundoon" - you could research the old Pogo comic strip and make your own evaluations of that nickname. Andy and the scouts went to Philmont in 1962 and to the North Woods boundary wilderness for a canoe adventure in 1963. For some reason, on the Canada canoe trip Andy chose to wear a Jungle Jim pith helmet, and one of the adult leaders took it upon himself to harangue Andy endlessly about his "piss helmet". Andy took it all in stride, and laughed with the rest of us. One fine day, in the middle of Lac LaCroix, Andy was in the bow of his canoe and the leader was in the stern. I heard the leader, Clyde Boyles, shout "Andy! There's a wasp on your helmet!" - whereupon he whacked the back rim of the helmet with his paddle, causing the helmet to fall into the lake. There ensued a splashing grasping poking fight as Clyde tried to sink the helmet and Andy tried to rescue it. Clyde won. I like to think there is a family of sturgeons in Lac LaCroix that traces their long-term survival to their nesting area under an old pith helmet in 100 feet of still water, the nametag "A. Gatlin" still legible inside the hatband.
Andy grew to be six feet six and was a star on our basketball team, where we had three-count'em-three six foot six players. Not bad for a team from a school where our senior class had 109 students and about 500 total in the high school. The basketball coach, Ronnie Johnson, was about 5'4" - go figure. Andy would walk up to the coach, tower over him and "inadvertently" get spooneristic dyslexia, calling him "Coach Ronson". That usually got Andy a few extra laps or windsprints after practice. Say what you will, Coach Ronson - your boys, with Andy as a leader, took our team to the State finals in 1965; it was a really good year.
Those of you in Ontario know Andy's subsequent accomplishments better than I, and I will leave those tales for you to tell.
Andy was a great guy and a good friend; I will be a bit sadder knowing he is no longer out there, challenging people and making them THINK. However, I choose to believe that the world is not lesser for his loss, but a better place because we all had the chance to know him.
Tailwinds, my friend . . .
-Dave Daniel, VHS Class of 1965
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Carol Ann Boothby
March 6, 2025
Dear Rosie and Family,
Our condolences on the loss of dear Andy. We remember him to be a pleasant, kind hearted gentleman with a great sense of humour. He could make everyone laugh. May your wonderful family memories comfort you at this difficult time. The photos are a warm remembrance of the joy at Rosie`s 50th birthday party on a boat.
Love,
Bob and Carol Ann Boothby
Gigi gatlin
March 4, 2025
This is Gigi, I will always miss my papa. I will forever love him. I will also always remeber the time we spent reading, or playing a board game. I especially remeber when we were in cancun, I woke up, and walked out, and i saw him playing ping pong. I also will always remeber in new york, when I was staying in the room next to him and grandma. i will forever wonder how he survived all of the pillow fights that i had with my cousins. I love you, papa. I always will. you will live forever in my heart. I will miss him.
Gerry and Linda Bates
March 4, 2025
Andy always had smile and a twinkle in his eyes.He was a gentleman and a joy to be with. We will miss him.
Stephanie Kourtis
March 3, 2025
The Kourtis family will always remember Andy for his neighbourhood walks, being part of any celebrations, ping pong matches, and that gentle smile that graced his face. Andy your memory will be eternal. We will never forget you dear friend. With so much love. The Kourtis family.
John Kearns
March 3, 2025
To Andy's family I extend my sincere sympathy at his passing. Andy and I worked together at Overlea Secondary School. May you be comforted by the good memories you have of your life with Andy
Rosanne Martin
March 3, 2025
I will miss Andy. He was my bridge partner for a few months and I learned so much from him! He had a wicked sense of humour and we often giggled our way through a game. The photo was taken in December 2023 at the Toronto East Bridge Club Christmas lunch.
Angela Dosis
March 2, 2025
We are saddened to hear of Andy´s passing. He will forever be remembered for his dry humour and warm smiles. May the memories he created with each of you bring you comfort. memory be eternal - Angie, Phil, Zoe and Alex
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