It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Andrew (Andy) Pilat, surrounded by his loving family, at University Hospital in London, Ontario on January 19, 2022. Andy was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and he will be forever missed by his wife Nancy, his four children, Sarah (Jon) Kidd, John (Ania) Pilat, Allison Pilat, and Heather (Tom) de Jourdan, and by his grandchildren Anna, Johnny, Zuzanna, Janna and the late Mary (2021). Andy was the dear brother of Alexandria and uncle of Melany, Matthew and Marlies. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph (1983) and Maria (1999) and by his brother Jerry (1966).
Andy grew up in the Niagara region and helped operate the family farm before heading off to university where he earned a master’s degree in economics. Andy joined the Sarnia Construction Association in 1979 as Labour Relations Officer, and in January 1982 he became the General Manager of the Association and its affiliates, a position he held for the last 40 years. He was involved in the negotiation and administration of collective agreements, both locally and provincially, and he acted as the liaison between the Association and the Sarnia Owner Client Council and between the Association and the Sarnia/Lambton Education Co-operative. Andy also sat on many different local and provincial Boards over the years, including the Ontario Construction Secretariat, Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA), Construction Employers Coordinating Council of Ontario (CECCO), and Construction Labour Relations Association of Ontario (CLRAO, formerly the Labour Relations Bureau, OGCA).
Andy’s heart was broken in May 2021 when he lost his beloved granddaughter Mary de Jourdan to a rare brain tumour at the age of 2 1/2. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to SickKids Foundation to support the research to find a cure for ATRT brain tumours. A donation may be made by phoning SickKids Foundation at 1-800-661-1083 or visiting the website secure.sickkidsfoundation.com/donate?_ga=2.217091920.750056470.1642627833-310098164.1637604365
Dedication – In Memory of Andrew Pilat (to honour Mary)
Area or Purpose – ATRT Research, Annie Huang’s Lab.
The family would like to thank the special doctors and nurses at University Hospital in London for their exceptional care. Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia. A private graveside service will take place at Resurrection Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be sent online at www.smithfuneralhome.ca
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Andrew Pilat July 13th 1951 January 19th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Sarnia, Province: Ontario