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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-11-26, Page 13THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015. PAGE 13. Village mourns long-time resident Lubbers This was a sad week for the residents of Auburn. One of our cherished neighbours, Andy Lubbers, died suddenly in his home. The last time any of us remember seeing Andy was on Remembrance Day when he was serving faithfully once again, carrying the colours in the parade to the Blyth Memorial Hall and then back to the Legion following the service. I was speaking at that same Remembrance Day service and Andy was sitting just in front of me up on the stage. At one point I leaned forward to ask him a quick question about the offering we were taking up for the care of veterans. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this would be my last conversation with him. Andy lived across the street, kitty- corner to my church office and he would come over every once in a while where we would sit together and chat. I am so grateful that on the Tuesday before he died he made one of these visits. We sat together that day in my office and talked about, of all things, heaven. Andy had come to the Heaven Is For Real event hosted by Huron Chapel last month in Blyth and he was struck by what was said that night. We talked about the wonders of heaven and what it would be like. We talked about his father who went to be with the Lord this past June. Andy talked about how to his father in heaven it would seem like no time at all before he was there with him. Neither of us had any idea, at least I didn’t, how quickly this moment would really come. Andy enjoyed conversing. On that same Tuesday he stopped by my house where my wife was out raking leaves on our front lawn. Andy just stopped to chat. There had to be no reason, which was the greatest reason of all, to spend time talking with Andy. Andy was well known and he was well liked in our communities. I absolutely love this one line in his funeral bulletin. It simply said, “Although Andy never married, he had a large family.” If you knew Andy, you don’t need any explanation to what this line means. When you saw Andy’s car parked somewhere in town it was a quick telltale sign that he was close by and you felt good because you knew you might run into him. And it is a funny thing because, though I participated in his Legion funeral service and attended his church funeral service, I feel like I should still see him around town. It hasn’t sunk in that I won’t…that I can’t. I know from our conversations together that Andy was ready to meet his Heavenly Father. On that last visit Andy and I had together in my office he mentioned to me once again a line that had greatly encouraged him regarding his father’s death. He probably told you about it too. Pastor Gary van Leeuwen told Andy when his father had died that it was the best day in his dad’s life. Andy knew it was true because on that day his dad got to go home to heaven and meet his Lord. It was the best day of his life. On this past Remembrance Day I marched out of the hall behind Andy, watching him carrying the flag with all the solemn respect for the occasion. I didn’t know it at the time, but this was going to be the best day in Andy’s life. Andrew John Lubbers Andrew “Andy” John Lubbers passed away suddenly at his home in Auburn on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. Born on June 21, 1960, he was in his 56th year. Andy was a well-known member of both the Auburn and Blyth communities and beyond, working extensively with both the Royal Canadian Legion, Blyth Branch 420 and as a member of the Blyth Campaign 14/19 Committee. His involvement with the Legion began in March of 1993, when he first joined the Blyth Legion as an affiliate voting member. A few years later, he was able to obtain the wartime service records of his father Roelof and became a Legion associate member in March of 1996. Over his two decades with the Legion, Andy served as the chair of many departments, including Youth and Education, Veterans Affairs and Sports. He also assisted with the Legion’s annual poppy campaign for many years. In 2008, he was elected second vice-president of the Branch, stepping up to become president in 2010 – serving for four years until taking ill, but returning one year later to reclaim his positions. During his years as president of the Branch, Andy attended many seminars and conventions on behalf of the Legion within both the zone and the district. He was also very involved with catering activities both by the Legion and by the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, often acting in a leading role. Andy’s strong presence with the Legion led those involved with the 14/19 campaign to seek him out and represent that part of the community on the project’s committee. Project Manager Peter Smith said Andy brought “an energy and sense of humour to the endeavour that kept us all buoyant.” Through Campaign 14/19, Andy was heavily involved in project initiatives such as Fare on 4, Follow the Light and the Huron Sound and Art Festival. And through his work with both 14/19 and the Legion, he pushed to create Cenotaph Day. It was Andy’s vision that the day would celebrate cenotaphs across Canada, to be held on July 28 – a day of significance both internationally, as the day World War I began, and locally as the day Memorial Hall was opened and the day those behind Campaign 14/19 announced the details of their ambitious project. The first Cenotaph Day was held last year and the evening’s speakers were Keith and Linda Loder and their son Cpl. Nathan Loder. This year the tradition continued as the second annual celebration of the cenotaph was held in the Memorial Hall courtyard and featured Travis Lubbers, Andy’s great-nephew, as a guest speaker. Travis spoke about Roelof, Andy’s father, and his experiences in active duty. Andy was described by those who knew him as a thoughtful person who was of the community and worked for the community. Someone recently said of Andy, “I believe he woke up every morning, looked out his window and asked the question ‘how can I help to make my community better today?’” An avid dart player, Andy will be remembered by many through his love for the sport, which he could often be found winning both through the Legion and privately. Spanning nearly his entire life, Andy was known to many locals as Bubblegum – a nickname bestowed on him by a fellow community member. As far as Andy could figure, he was given the nickname for his love of the treat, which he would often buy at a local gas station on his walk to the cadets clubhouse and it just stuck, with locals referring to him as Bubblegum until his final days. Andy was the loving brother and brother-in-law of George and Cathy Lubbers of St. Thomas, Tony and Sylvia Verburg of Belgrave and Jean Lubbers of Clinton. He was predeceased by his parents Grace (2003) and Roelof (2015) Lubbers, brother Henry (2008) and sister Roely (2010) and will be fondly remembered by all his aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Friends and family were received at the Blyth Christian Reformed Church on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 6-9 p.m. where Huron Chapel Pastor Mark Royall officiated and the Blyth Legion Branch held an official service before the visitation. The funeral service was held on Friday, Nov. 20 at 10:30 a.m. Interment of ashes will take place in the spring at Hope Chapel Cemetery, Hullett Township, Ontario. Memorial donations to the Blyth Christian Reformed Church or the Blyth Royal Canadian Legion Branch #420 would be greatly appreciated. Messages of condolence for the Lubbers family may be sent through the funeral home at www.falconerfuneralhomes.com Send a one year subscription for The Citizen to: Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prov.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Postal Code. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date to start subscription . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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