Andrew Loucks

It is with great sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Andy Loucks on September 4th, 2017 at the Health Science Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the age of 66.

Andy was predeceased by his beloved mother Caroline Loucks( nee Hebert), father Russell Loucks and younger sister Susan Durston(Loucks). Left to cherish memories are: sister Janey Loucks McIvor(Bryan Hunter), nephew and nieces Michael Jacob, Amelia, Mary Louise, Nellie and their father Brian McIvor;  sister Bridget Blair (Mike), nephews Matthew(Jessica), great nieces and nephew Maximus, Brooklyn and Maddie-Lynn, nephew Braiden; brother-in-law James Durston(Petra),nephew Stephen(Stephanie) great nieces Anna and Nora, nephew Stuart, great niece Lilah(Jessica), nephew Scott and niece Danielle; great aunts and uncle and  cousins. He will be dearly missed by all of his extended “family”, here and in Alberta, friends, coworkers, those very special friends (you know who you are), the many “bodyguards”, the deer at the park and the birds at his feeder.

Andy was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on July 9th, 1951. At the age of two, Andy was adopted into the loving arms of Russell and Caroline Loucks and raised in the rural region of Delta, Manitoba. He attended the one room Oakland school and right up to the end, proudly still had a great love and friendship with his Grade One teacher Ada Adams. Andy left school at an early age and became dad’s helper. They worked together on the bridges for the Portage Diversion Project, then went up north to work in Gillam Manitoba and the Long Spruce Generating Plant. It was there Andy picked up the nickname “Radar”, due to his looks and similar traits of the “MASH” character! It was also up North Andy’s love for the Arctic Fox began. He came across one close to camp, befriended and gained a distant trust with the wild fox. It would even watch for Andy late at night after work. Eventually work finished up there and Andy came back to Portage to live with mom, doing various jobs; Department of Highways, potato sheds, farm hand and his passion to be a truck driver grew and grew. He successfully obtained his Class One Air and the rest is history. Andy ‘put the hammer down” and began trucking and hauling all over parts of Canada and the States. He was in his Glory… little man BIG trucks and the BIGGEST smile!! During this time Andy came across many people he respected; two names were mentioned the most and held in the highest regard and admiration by Andy for all these years: Garry Sloik and a man named ‘Red’. It warmed this family’s heart, the total respect and understanding given to our earnest brother and son. Andy was devastated when his January diagnosis forced his retirement from EF Moon, another family company he held in high regard.

Andy was a very loyal, thorough and dedicated employee and would always go the extra mile.

Anyone who knew Andy was aware of his big heart, his old fashioned mannerisms and manners, the importance of the task at hand, his incredible memory, the quirky way he would switch out names, vowels or words for other names vowels or words, his tireless devotion to helping others both 2 legged and 4, his sometimes cantankerous moods, his dedication to his Catholic faith, his endless ongoing support of many, many charities, pancake breakfasts, meat draws, fairs, exhibitions, BBQs, farmers markets, fundraisers, ANAF and Legion events,…and on and on.

Our brother was one of a kind and the world is less without him.

~ You never said I’m leaving, you never said goodbye,

you were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why.~

Visitation and Viewing will be held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel from 7- 8:00 pm on Friday, September 8, 2017. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 9th, 2017 at 2:00 pm at the Good Shepard Catholic Church in Portage La Prairie, MB with Rev. Father Gerald Langevin presiding. Immediately following the service, a Celebration of stories, refreshments, smiles and shared laughter will take place in the Parish Hall, with internment to follow at Hillside Cemetery.

If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made in Andy’s memory to P.A.W.S., 121 12 St NW, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 2S9, or to a charity of one’s choice.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com