ANDREW GEORGE KENT

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ANDREW GEORGE KENT

Wait – before you toss out that beer, tap it a few times to make sure you got it all.

Andrew (Andy/Aggie/Grandy) George Kent, 63, went belly up (to the bar... of life) on March 4, 2025 after a battle with multiple system atrophy (MSA), a rare disease that we would tell you about, but Andy's words about it won't get past the editor for sure.

Andy was known for his infectious laugh, his loyalty to his family, and his willingness to always step up and get things done. He was a part-time troublemaker, full-time contrarian, and always the one to crack the joke even when it was probably best left unsaid.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Andy grew up mostly in St. Norbert, graduated from St. Paul's High School, did a short beer run at UofM before graduating from Red River's Computer Programmer/Analyst program. Andy and Kathy married in 1983 during a fantastical "month" of weddings. He became the best dad(dy) in the world with the birth of his two children Stephanie (1992) and The Boy (1997). Although most would call his Red Wings red truck his pride and joy, it really was his children. They were his world. Andy moved with his family to Altoona, WI in 1999. He and Kathy were going to make it big on the Y2K boom that would surely cause the collapse of all computers everywhere (it didn't). Andy worked at IDEXX as a software engineer and eventually landed his dream job (second only to being a Red Wings roadie) as a volunteer firefighter with Altoona Fire. As if life couldn't get any better, he became Grandy in 2020 and was finally able to share his "see-food" with the only person that appreciated it, his grandson. Andy retired and moved to Arizona in 2020 so that he could golf every day.

Andy was predeceased by his father (George) and his mother (Mary) and his dawgs Pepsi and Nutty. Andy leaves behind to cheer for the Red Wings his wife Kathy, his children Stephanie (Andy) and Jason (Hannah), and his precious grandson, Jamie Jamerson. His siblings, who put up with him longer than any of us, should also be prepared to don the winged wheel: Rosemarie (Marshall), Bernard (Diane), Marianne (Randy) and Paul (Heather). His "MILlie," Caroline, and brother-in-law, Joe (Maire), as well as nieces, nephews and cousins will be called to step up if the Wings ever make the playoffs again. He also leaves his beloved Meeeiaaa to take care of Kathy. His friends — and yes, there were many, as he had a knack for making them whether they wanted to be or not — will remember his smile, his laugh, his loud opinions, and his absolute refusal to be anything other than exactly who he was, right until the very end.

Andy always prioritized finding joy in life. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that you find something that brings you joy (like owning more than one dog) and share it with those you love. Don't ever wait. Hold on to the memories, the adventures, the inside jokes, and the nicknames. Toast Andy (maybe with Crown and Coke Zero) every chance you get... remembering, of course, to tap it a few times when you're done.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Winnipeg.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 13, 2025