On March 21, 2014, Andy Makarewicz of Edmonton passed away peacefully with his family by his side after a very courageous battle with cancer at the age of 61 years.
Andy will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his wife Aniela–semicolon– mother Krystyna–semicolon– brother Hank (Diane)–semicolon– nephew Scott–semicolon– niece Melissa and families–semicolon– the Choja family–semicolon– numerous aunts, cousins and friends.
He was predeceased by his father Jozef–semicolon– Uncles, Czeslaw and Edwin Betlejemski and grandparents, Ewa and Jozef Betlejemski.
Sincere gratitude to Dr. C. Venner and the nursing staff of the Cross Cancer Institute.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home, 10011 – 114 Street, Edmonton.
Donations in memory of Andy may be made to the Cross Cancer Institute, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1Z2.
To send condolences, please visit: www.connelly-mckinley.com
Hank Makarewicz says
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55
I offer these words with much praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for what He has done!
Andy lay in a hospital bed, facing his own mortality.
A need for prayer, a divinely orchestrated moment, a faithful servant, and God’s grace present. What an amazing recipe for a miracle – the miracle of salvation. With his cousin at his bedside, on Jan. 28, 2014, Andy put his faith in Jesus Christ, accepting Him as Lord and Saviour. God is so very faithful! It was our prayer that Andy would not leave the body without his eternal destination made secure. The natural body is subject to death. This is our mortality. Unending life in the presence of God is the ‘immortality’ God promises to those who put their faith in His Son. There is no sting to death for the believer, as the bible says, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”
Dear Andy, brother of mine, my heart is saddened and I will miss your physical presence. I loved you dearly, but I will not say goodbye as others say goodbye, but rather, I will say, “I will see you again”. Your brother, Hank.
Peace to all who mourn his loss.
Scott Makarewicz says
Ahhhhhh, I get to write something amazing for my Uncle! The first thing I think about when I think of Uncle Andy is his laugh, it makes me laugh even in this time of sorrow. Sorrow yes, but pure relief knowing he is somewhere much better than here. I mourn with our family, I feel sad everytime I think of his passing but I take joy in his eternity with Christ and the guarantee that I will see him again. A 3 week trip to the Mountains in 1989 was a very iconic moment for Uncle Andy and I, we developed this amazing bond that will never be forgotten. He lovingly came up with a nickname for me and I will never ever forget it. To my Uncle Andy you are a courageous man, a lesser man would have given up under such suffering. You gave everything you had and for that we thank you, you allowed us to have you in our lives just a bit longer. I can only hope I am even half the man you are. A solid rock, a standing fortress, a knight in armour, a one man army, My Uncle. Love, “Zeke”. The most random nickname ever, a nickname that will never leave me.
To our family, to you Aniela, I pray for peace and comfort knowing that Uncle Andy is in a much more amazing place than here and we will all see him again. His physical house has been laid down, but his soul has been breathed new life. For this I thank God.
Shelley Hay says
Glenn and I had the honor of knowing Andy as a neighbor and a friend; we are saddened to hear of his passing. A person that departs from this earth never truly leaves, for they are still alive in our hearts and minds, through us, they live on. Please accept our deepest sympathy we will always remember Andy.
Raf Tenderenda says
My condolences to Andy”s family. I remember Andy as being a soft – but well spoken man. He was very patient person, you would feel at ease being in his presence. It was a pleasure to work alongside with Andy. My most vivid memory of Andy is when he asked if I wanted to go for coffee after a site meeting. We sat and talked about history, ww2, auschwitz. Me being Polish and a history buff, I felt like I could talk with Andy for hours. He was truly a remarkable man that will be missed by many.
May God surround you with loving care, always and forever.
RON and LORNA ILL says
Our Deepest Sympathy to Aniela and Family. I knew Andy as a fellow employee with the City of Edmonton in the Drainage Dept. in the West Chambers and then in Century Place Buildings. Andy and Aniela came to our Wedding in 2001. They brought along 2 Pink Flamingos and danced with them and then danced with us and we kept the Flamingos to pass along on our next wedding invite. Lorna and I have great memories with Andy and Aniela over the years. Andy is looking down on us as we Celebrate his Life. Vivat Jesus!!! Ron and Lorna