Obituary of Andrew Evaristo Appolloni

To watch the recording of the service, click this link:

https://video.ibm.com/embed/recorded/132752564

Andrew (Andrea) Evaristo Appolloni, Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired), CD2, LL.B

Andrew was born in Rome, Italy on March 23, 1961 to Ursula (Carroll) and Lucio Appolloni. In 1965, with big sisters Luisa and Suzanne and younger brother Simon, the family immigrated to Canada. From a very young age, Andrew learned of civic duty and service to country from his parents’ example.

Joining the Royal Canadian Air Cadet program early in his teen years set the stage for much of his life. There he made lifelong friends, expanded his leadership skills and decided to pursue a career in the Canadian Armed Forces. Along the way, he met and fell in love with me - Janine Merk. We married in December of 1984 and our adventure together began.

Andrew started his military career in Logistics and had the challenge and honour of serving with the United Nations in the Golan Heights early in his career. Twelve years later he was selected to become a lawyer through the Military Law Training Program and was accepted to the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan in 1997. Upon graduation and completion of his Articles with Legal Aid Saskatchewan, he began working in military law (AJAG). His final deployment was in the Congo - again with the United Nations. Soon after he arrived home to Germany, we were devastated to learn Andrew had gastric/esophageal cancer. He fought incredibly hard, beat the odds and learned to live without a stomach.
 
Together we welcomed 5 children into our growing family during 10 postings across Canada and in Europe. Becoming a father was Andrew’s greatest joy. He loved sharing with his children his passion for music, movies, books and food that he prepared and shared with family and friends. He loved the outdoors, hiking and boating and daily pup walks with Dagliano and then Pepito.

Andrew was a true officer and a gentleman and because of the example he set, all 5 children followed in his footsteps and joined the Canadian Armed Forces. At present, their combined years of service is over 80 years.
 
When Andrew retired from the military, life came full circle, as he returned to Saskatchewan to work with Legal Aid. Here we learned the cancer had returned and the outcome did not look promising. He prayed for a miracle and said he got 3 - the birth of 2 more grandchildren and walking his Nina girl down the aisle. He loved his role as Nonno to Enzo, Aida and Luca and will smile down upon the birth of another grandchild in September.
 
An important part of our lives has been the extended families we both inherited when we married. My large family welcomed Andrew and his Italian and British family treat me as one of their own. Our military friends and colleagues also became family - as well as the people we met in the communities where we lived.
 
Andrew found solace in recent months watching as our children took care of him, of me and each other. Even during incredible health challenges, he continued to enjoy the little things - a well prepared cup of espresso, a beautiful glass of red wine and the sounds of Canada Geese returning in the spring. He was humbled by the steady stream of specially made meals delivered to our door.

I, along with our children: Anthony (Megan with Leam, Wyatt, Quinley and Sawyer), Jeremy (Natasha), Dominic (Emily), Elliott, and Nina (Clarke) invite you to join Andrew’s Celebration of Life.

Monday, May 1st, 2023
We will receive friends and family starting at 1:00 pm.
Service will begin at 2:00 pm.  
The Glen at Crossmount, 10 Glen Rd., Crossmount, SK.

Flowers gratefully declined.
Please consider a donation in Andrew’s honour to a charity of your choosing.