Andrew Desmond Hawkins
Andy passed away peacefully at the Arrow Lakes Hospital on January 15, 2014. Born in London, England on February 17, 1949, the son of a Royal Air Force officer and his wife, his earliest years were spent in London; Findhorn, Scotland; and then Malta.
From the ages of six years to eighteen, he attended boarding schools on the south coast of England. Andy loved adventure and as a teenager his explorations of the shoreline bordering his school property led him to find a 16th century astrolabe which was gratefully received by the British Maritime Museum. As his parents were stationed in a variety of Asian air force bases, Andy travelled extensively as he made his way home during school holidays. Family life in foreign countries was rich in experiences and on one occasion he travelled the Panang River in a longboat with his parents and native guides. There he learned an assortment of useful skills such as how to use army ants as temporary sutures.
In April of 1968, Andy immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, meeting Trish shortly after. In 1974, wanting to escape city life they moved to New Denver, then to Hills and finally to Nakusp in 1976. He loved working on the towboats of the Arrow Lakes, and in 1981 he completed his Master of Minor Waters ticket at the Pacific Marine Institute. In 2002, he bought a kayak and paddled the Columbia River from the head of Kinbasket Lake to Castlegar.
Andy was foremost devoted to his family. He spent many hours building tree forts, model airplanes, and rockets that intrigued his two sons and neighbourhood children. He loved rock and roll, technology, and reading.
Andy is survived by his wife, Trish Hawkins; sons Justin Hawkins (Bettina), Matthew Hawkins (Chelsea); his brother, Jonathan Holford; and grandchildren Noah and Emma Hawkins. He is also survived by his parents, Desmond and Joan Hawkins.