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Andrew Pyper
1968 - 2025
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Larry Brown posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
I met Andrew in the fall 0f 2003 when he was the writer-in-residence at Kitchener Library. I submitted a story for him to read and comment on. The story appealed to his sense of humour and he offered to take my unpublished story collection to a friend/editor at a Toronto publisher.
This was the first of many helpful gestures over the years. He always offered valuable advice and seemed happy to do so. On several occasions he 'came' to a writitng class I teach on zoom and answered questions The class members always came away from the q&a enthusiastic to incorporate his advice into their writing. (Though on the subject of NHL hockey his support of a certain Toronto team was, to put it mildly, misguided...We all make mistakes, however.)
Rest in peace, Andrew.
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Matt Bissonnette posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
What a heartbreaker. Andrew and I were articling students at Blakes, and shared lunches in lonely food courts, looking at each other and wondering, what are we doing here? We both left the law, and in the late 90s would spend time in College street bars and coffee shops, reading each others' works in progress, kicking around ideas for tv shows or movies that one day might or might not be.
I remember Andrew as a very intelligent, very funny, and very dedicated artist, but mostly my memories are of a warm and wonderfully decent human being, who was hilarious and uplifting to sit and talk with, and had a great love and enthusiasm for this life. For me, Andrew was one of those people you always thought you would somehow somewhere see again, and that thought, like his life's work, made this world a little brighter and more beautiful. Sending love and sympathy to Andrew's family at this time of loss.
Matt Bissonnette
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Anahata Fernandez lit a candle
Monday, January 6, 2025
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Andrew was a kind, tender and talented man. I am heartbroken for his dear family, to whom he was devoted. Andrew and I shared our McGill days with the laughter and lightness of youth, the whole world ahead of us. This world is a better place having had Andrew in it. There is nothing one can really say to assuage the pain of losing someone you love, but to his wife Heidi and his children Maude and Ford, I send my deepest condolences; you will be in my thoughts and in my prayers. I am so very sorry for your loss.
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Doyne Ahern lit a candle
Monday, January 6, 2025
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Hello. I hope someone can read this note.
I have just read the news of Andrew's passing. Although we kept in touch only sporadically, I have very special memories of when he came to the Bonnechere Authors Festival in Eganville in 2009. I saw him again in 2017 when he autographed another book for me. He stayed with us, and we all went swimming in the lake that was part of our property.
I held a luncheon at our home the day before his presentation at the festival for the ladies in our bookclub, Books in the Bush. I think all of us were surprised to meet such a young, handsome fellow who wrote such compelling horror stories that kept us all turning pages. I remember saying to him, "you know, Andrew, I can't help but wonder what visions bounce in your head of worms and such crawling in and out of my heart of guts as you sit here making us all laugh with your great personality and warm heart!" Andrew turned towards me with a bit of a sly grin, and replied, "Oh, you'll never know....."
Those couple of days were a true gift that Andrew gave all of us in Cormac and Eganville. I was so very very sad to read of his far too early departure from this world. I am deeply sorry for his family, his children, but also, for all the avid readers of this world who have also lost the contributions to literature that will no longer arrive to expand our Canadian repertoire.
My heart is with you, Doyne
Doyne Ahern
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Danielle Lenarcic Biss posted a condolence
Monday, January 6, 2025
I read "The Killing Circle" in Professor Nick Mount's first-year undergraduate Literature for Our Time course at the University of Toronto in 2011. I am an avid reader but thrillers always frightened me...until Andrew Pyper! The writing was excellent and I loved reading a novel set in Toronto with familiar street names and intersections. I remember Mr. Pyper visited our lecture that Friday afternoon and answered questions about the book. It was so cool to listen to an author speak about his work directly after we'd read it as a class.
I was so sad to see the CBC article this morning about his death. I can imagine how heartbroken his loved ones are, especially to lose him so soon after the holidays. Sending my deepest condolences, and joining in celebration of his fierce talent and passion. Sharing one of my favourite quotes: “Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”
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Arjun Basu posted a condolence
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Sincerest condolences to Andrew’s entire family. A kind soul, a warm wit. Your personal loss is also the wider world’s.
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Suzanne Young posted a condolence
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Dear Heidi, Maude and Ford,
We were so saddened to hear of Andrew’s death. Please accept our deepest condolences.
Sending you love and peace.
Suzanne, Steve, Henry and Stella Alford
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Pamela Lunney posted a condolence
Sunday, January 5, 2025
I was so saddened to learn of Andrew's passing.
My husband and had the pleasure of meeting Andrew not quite twenty years ago and we both remarked what a lovely person we found him to be.
Heart felt condolences.
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James Hurst posted a condolence
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Andrew was quite simply one of my favourite people. Though our paths hadn’t crossed much in recent years he was always in my heart. We were close collaborators and friends for many years and Andrew, his wife Heidi and my wife Shelley enjoyed dinners together and we all became close. I had the opportunity to get to know his children Maude and Ford when they were younger and they are wonderful (no surprise given their parents).
I could spend days talking about how wonderful Andrew was. Brilliant. Kind. Generous. Graceful. Funny as hell. He was upbeat and positive and best of all endlessly curious about people.
He would speak with the elegance of his prose and then slay you with a raunchy joke that would make a sailor blush. He could hold a room spellbound during a reading and then pop over to the pub to cheer on the Leafs.
He was quietly determined when it came to his writing and had the most untroubled process of any writer I’ve known. He simply went to his writing room everyday and wrote. I don’t know any other writer who could do what he did without complaint or without even one fit of doubt.
More than anyone I’ve ever known Andrew was not interested in himself. Not in a self deprecating or insecure way. He was one of the most secure people I’ve ever known (unusual for a writer!)
An abundantly brilliant man who could hold forth on any variety of topics… but he wouldn’t. His focus was always on you and what you thought. He flattered me by often asking me my take on virtually any topic that came up. Like I was the world’s expert on everything. Believe me I am not. But that was Andrew. He did this with everyone.
Thank you Andrew for our adventures together and for always making me feel like I was the only one in the room.
The world has lost a very special person but those who knew Andrew will always remember his hearty laugh, his warmth and of course his wonderful stories.
My wife Shelley and I send our love and condolences to his wonderful wife Heidi and their children Maude and Ford.
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Dora posted a condolence
Saturday, January 4, 2025
I am very sorry to learn of the passing of Andrew Pyper. I met him over 20 years ago, interviewing him for The Varsity when I was a student and aspiring novelist at U of T and he was such a kind, gracious, erudite gentleman. He was a wonderful writer; I read Kiss Me at least once a year. My deepest condolences to his family.
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Larry Gaudet posted a condolence
Saturday, January 4, 2025
My path and Andrew's hadn't crossed much in recent years but I knew him as a fine guy and a gentlemen and I'm saddened for Heidi and their family and friends. Andrew and I had both fully committed to the book writing life but it was heartening to learn, in reading the very moving obituary, that writing came second to family for Andrew. There's a mistaken notion out there in some quarters, even today, that you have to choose between art and family, that it's a zero sum game. Andrew evidently knew better.
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Ian Hutson posted a condolence
Saturday, January 4, 2025
I am saddened to hear of Andrew's passing. I had met him a couple of times through my business and he and his family live on my street. I wish his family a tendering of consolation that may be found in the impressions that Andrew made on the people who had the great fortune to meet him.
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Brad Middleton posted a condolence
Saturday, January 4, 2025
I did not know Andrew personally but met him a couple of times and really enjoyed his books. My condolences to his family and friends.
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Emma lit a candle
Saturday, January 4, 2025
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While I do not know Andrew personally, I wanted to share his impact he had in the book community. My partner and I loved his book, William, this past year in 2024. I devoured it in one evening and have since recommended it to many. Thank you for your stories, that book was a highlight to my 2024. I hope one day William could be turned into a film adaptation like he had wanted it to!
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David Russell posted a condolence
Saturday, January 4, 2025
I was a year ahead of Andrew. However we shared some close friends. One of my closest being Tim Leaney. I have a fond memory of us. I still have an old tape cassette recording of Andrew playing keyboards while Tim is playing drums and I was hitting some wood blocks and cowbells. Haha. We were all laughing and cracking jokes. So sorry to hear this news. Thoughts and prayers for everyone affected by such a devastating loss. David Russell
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AL-Noor Somani posted a condolence
Saturday, January 4, 2025
I went to High school with Andrew, how time passes , I am so sorry to hear the news, My warmest prayers to the family and may God protect you all during this difficult time. Andrew was always such a respectful person during my high school days, not once did he ever mistreat anyhow and always showed respect to his friends and teachers, He will be missed
AL-Noor Somani & Family
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Vince posted a symbolic gesture
Saturday, January 4, 2025
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My entire being is shaken at its core by Andrew’s passing. To say Andrew was special, is a vast understatement of the person he was…he truly was a once in a lifetime individual. He was always engaged, always curious, always “present”, and always compassionate. He was always there! Although our paths hadn’t crossed recently, I always knew he was the person you could always count on if you just needed an ear to listen (& a shoulder of comfort). Just being who he was. always inspired us all to be the best version of ourselves we can be.
Heidi, Maude & Ford , our deepest love are with you all.
My world is a brighter place for having shared time with Amdrew, and am extremely honored to have called him a friend . Travel forward my friend, and continue to let us bask in the light of your warm glow. You made the world and each of us better by just being you. You will forever be in our hearts & our thoughts, helping us stand a little taller, putting a little smirk on our face, and a lil kick in our steps. Forever with awe & admiration!
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Jon Leney posted a condolence
Saturday, January 4, 2025
That is a lovely photo of Andrew, befitting of the lovely person that he was. My sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends. My heart is breaking for all of you. Peace be with Andrew and may it find all who knew and loved him.
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Daniel Dietrich posted a condolence
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Andrew was my best friend during the most formative years of my life; the significant period where a group of us grew together as a family while working under James Morris/Neil Baxter of Rundles fame. He stood out in all that he did, and will forever be missed.
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Monique Ganon lit a candle
Saturday, January 4, 2025
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Heidi, I'm so sorry for the tragic loss in your family. Andrew was always proud, loving and friendly. I know his memory will live long in his work, family and community. Sending love and strength, Monique, Tim, Ginger and Ruby.
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Faith lit a candle
Saturday, January 4, 2025
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I met Mr. Pyper in 2011, jumping at the chance to meet the author of one of my favorite Canadian novels, The Lost Girls. He was gracious, friendly, and intelligent. This is sad news. My condolences to Mr. Pyper's wife Heidi and their two children. God bless
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The family of Andrew Pyper uploaded a photo
Friday, January 3, 2025
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