Whitney Pier/Glace Bay
“Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad.”
It is with broken hearts that we, the family, announce the passing of our Dad, Andrew Richard Gilyan. Dad passed away peacefully with us, his children, by his side on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.
Andy was born on February 9, 1962 in Sydney. Dad always held his parents in high regard as they provided a strong, loving home to raise their family here in Whitney Pier after they made their entrance into Canada from Hungary back in 1957.
Dad, ‘Joe’ as the boys called him, began work as an Auto Mechanic at Scotia Chrysler in 1981 at the age of 19. His oiled and greased hands revealed years of hard work. There was never a dull moment in the shop or while on break with the boys when the coffee truck pulled up.
Dad loved the game of hockey. He was an exceptional player for many years himself. His joys and frustration came during watching the Leafs games. Although they pulled through and won for him one last time on Saturday evening!
You could find Dad enjoying his down time with neighbours (turned friends) in the garage. Fire warm and Oland’s in hand, there was never a dull moment.
Dad was a kind, soft spoken, sweet hearted man. He had his wits and loved to hear a good joke. He was happiest when spending time with or speaking with his children whom he loved dearly and spoke about to all frequently. He couldn’t have been more proud of them.
Besides his Mom, Mary (Szklenar) Gilyan, whom he loved very much, he is survived by his sons, Andrew (Jen) and Tyler; daughter, Shari (Brad); their mother, Joann Larade; siblings, Ildiko (Paul) and Robbie (Tammy); brother-in-law, Roger; as well as nieces, nephews and great-nephew, Christian.
Andy was predeceased by his father, Andrew Gilyan; sister, Mary Gilyan and great-nephew, MacKenzie.
Due to Covid restrictions, there will be no visitation or service for the late Andrew Gilyan at this time.
Donations in memory of Andy may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
~Always remembered never forgotten, we love you Dad~
Online Condolences
To my good friend passing. I’ll miss you kiddo. Most soft spoken man I’ve ever knew. Condolences to the kids & Joanne
From: Debby Hartigan Walker
To the Gillian family, my condolences on the passing of Andy. I am so sorry for your loss.
From: Paul Douglas Carrigan
Dear Ildie and Family
Deepest condolences on the passing of your brother. Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. Big hugs
Judy
From: Judy Sampson
Sincere condolences on the loss of sweet Andy. During the short time I knew Andy, it was truly evident the love he had for all of you. The mention of your names brought an extra sparkle to his eyes. He was one of the kindest people I’ve met. His intelligence and wit were obvious during every conversation. We continued to stay in touch as we teased each other relentlessly over his Leafs and my Canadiens. Prayers and thoughts to you and his friends. His loss is truly grieved by many.
From: Janet Gallivan
To The Family So Sorry To Hear Of Your Loss Andy Was A Great Guy And A Good Friend You Are All In Our Thoughts And Prayers Dave MacKeigan and Debbie MacIvor.
From: Debbie MacIvor
Dear Mary, Robbie & members of Andy’s family
I am so sorry to learn of the loss of your son, brother and dad. I knew Andy as I was his grade 5 teacher and also from Matilda St. Andy was a wonderful, polite, very smart student. I’m sure he was a great mechanic and probably one of the best as he was an excellent student and a hard worker. He came from a great family. Please accept my deepest condolences.
From: Margie MacNeil
Ildi, Rob and family- sincere condolences on such a profound loss
From: Betty Anne & Steve MacPhee
Stan and I are saddened to hear of Andy’s passing. We have great memories of being your neighbours . To Andy’s family , our condolences on your loss.
From: Stan & Elaine Kozera
Family of Andy, so sorry to hear of your great loss.
We grew up a few blocks away from your Dad and attended same schools. He definitely was a very kind quiet speaking guy. Certainly gone too soon! May he Rest In Peace!
From: Deneyse & Terry Johnston
Sincere condolences to all the family on hearing the news of Andy’s death , may he Rest In Peace
From: Pat and Maureen Sutherland
I am so sorry to have heard of Andy’s passing. My deepest condolences to the Gilyan family at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
From: Karen & Kenny MacDonald
Our sincere condolences to the Gilyan family on hearing of Andy’s passing. Many great memories will be remembered of our neighbors across Matilda street.
From: Mike and Hughena MacDonald
Mary, Ildi, Robbie and family
Bob and I are so heartfully sorry to hear of Andy’s passing. Our hearts are broken for all of you. Andy was a very sweet person and will be missed by all who knew him. You all, are in our prayers. Take care of each other and God Bless.. Andy is resting now with his Dad and Sister Mary RIP Andy….
From: Bob and Joanne (Katryk) Beaton
Robert and family: Leo and I are so sorry to hear of Andrews passing. Sending sincere condolences and prayers. God bless you and your family.
From: Jenn and Leo Tomko
My condolences to Mary and the rest of the Gilyan family on the loss of your son, brother, father, uncle and brother in law. I was so sorry to hear about Andy and my prayers and thoughts are with you all.
From: Sadie Walsh and Family.
My thoughts are with you all ..
May he Rest In Peace
SO SORRY FOR YOUR
Many heartfelt prayers that God will bless you with the strength you need during this grievous time. My sincere condolences to Mary ,Ildiko , Robby and family. I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. R.I.P. Bundy
Any was long time friends of my late husband Ritchie and myself..he had such a big heart and great sense of humor…he will be missed to all who known him…rip Andy 😇🙏💔
Jo Anne and family I’ve known Andy sense jr high nice guy my heart goes out to you and your children my deepest condolences to you at this difficult time
Mary and families Our heartfelt condolences , our prayers are with you all during this difficult time. The Evans’s
Mary & Family
We had many a good years working at Zellers between 1975- late 80’s .
I believe your whole family worked there at one time. Your friendship lasted with a number of us after all this time. That reflects on the fantastic family you & Andy raised. We will cherish those days in our hearts ♥️ forever.
R.I.P. Bundy
Love & A.F.F.A.
Doddy & Bobby
I am so sorry forbyour loss ..your mom means the world to me , hugs Mary, its tina …love you
Sincere condolances to Andy’s family and friends.
So sorry for your family’s loss ,keep.those memories in your heart to help you get through these hard days .you are all in my thoughts and prayers
I am so sad to hear of Bundy’s passing. He and my late brother Glen were good friends growing up. As we all were with the Gilyans. One of my memories of Bundy and Glen were setting up a house of horrors in the Gilyans shed and Bundy hanging from the rafters with ketchup running down his face.
My prayer and condolences go out to his whole family.
Deepest condolences to the entire family. You are in our thoughts and prayers! God bless!
My deepest condolences to you all may he Rest In Peace
Sincerest condolences to your family in your loss at this difficult time,thinking of you all in prayers.
To the Gilyan family, I am saddened to hear of the loss of Andy…sincere condolences to you all
My deepest sympathies to Andy’s family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. May you rest in eternal peace Andy.
To Mary, Ildi , Robbie and family I have so sorry to hear of Andy s passing. My heart breaks for you all. Your family was and will always be very special to me . Thinking of you all. Hugs ❤❤
Sending love and strength to the Gilyan family at this difficult time. Please know that we are keeping Andy and all of the family in our prayers.
Denise (Dee Dee) & Kenny Coombs
My sincere sympathy to the Gilyan families on the passing of Andy oh my I knew him as a child I hung around with his sister Mary so sad Rip now 🤗🙏🙏
Sincerest condolences to your family in your loss at this difficult time,thinking of you all in prayers.
deepest sympathy to the family especially mother mary. god bless
I am at such a loss for words during this sorrowful time. Please know that I am thinking of the entire Gilyan family, and praying for peace and comfort to help guide you through. Much love and God Bless🙏
Ildi and Rob, I am so very sorry to see this. Your family has had a tremendous amount of loss in a short time. Thinking of you both and of course your mom. Please take good care of each other and hang in there.
Yes we have thank you
Mrs. Gilyan, Ildi, Robbie, Andy’s Children and extended families.
It is with shock and sadness that I offer you my deepest condolences to all of you on the passing of Bundy.
Please take comfort in knowing that others are thinking of you during your time of sorrow.
Sending hugs to all of you.
Cathy (MacLean) Law and family
Dear Lord,
Bless those who mourn
the death of relative or friend
and feel that with this loss
their lives are incomplete.
Bless those who mourn,
and fill these empty hearts
with pleasant memories,
the sound of laughter,
sunshine and happier days.
Bless those who mourn,
and heal their brokenness
with the soothing balm
of your gentle touch,
that they might know
shalom, wholeness, peace
Amen
To his beautiful Mom and to his children Andrew,Sheri, and tylor , and extended family , no words can express my sorrow, my friend with a special bond for years as my heart breaks for all his family. But he suffered silently. And is now at rest. , not without joining up with his sister and DAD WHO ALSO GREETED HIM IN HEAVEN, RIP TO A VERY SPECIAL PERSON 🙏💔
I’m so sorry to have read this, condolences to Andy’s family and best friend (Pam Lesnick) may you find strength, Rip ANDY
Ildiko and family I am so sorry for your loss. Was shocked to hear of the passing of Andy. From all my family we send our deepest condolences.
My deepest condolences to the Gilyan family
Sending my love & prayers to Andy’s family and his children. I’m saddened by the news of Andy’s death but I’ll never forget his beautiful smile or his sense of humour. He was more like family to us. Rest In Peace, Andy!
Shocked and so saddened. We often fought about the Leafs and the Habs. Condolences to your family. You were a kind, gentleman and always tried to help everyone.
My deepest Sympathy. Andy was a good man so sorry.
Sorry for the loss of you Son, Mary and to his children. And all his family , he will be missed as he makes his Journey to heaven to Join his Dad and sister RIP Andy
Rest In Peace Andy!!! 💙💙
So sorry for your loss Robbie …my deepest condolences to you and your family
My deepest condolences to the Gilyan family. My childhood pal I can’t believe it. Rest In Peace my old friend.
My Sincere condolences to the family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all
My sincere condolences to the family prayers are with you all
Our sincere condolences to the Gilyan family .May he rest in peace
So very sorry to hear of Andy’s passing,,great neighbours and great people..thoughts and prayers with the family
So sorry for the lost of Andy. My thoughts and prayers to the family.
God Bless. RIP bandi
Dear Mary and family …So sorry for your loss …… my thoughts and prayers to you all ……
So sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss. Andy was a great guy and friend back in the day.
Rest in peace BUD
Gilman Family So sorry to read about Andy’s passing. I worked with Andy at Scotia Chrysler.May the fond memories you hold deep within your heart help you through this most difficult time.
Dear Ildi and family…so sorry to hear of your brother’s passing…you have lost so much in such a short time…thoughts and prayers for you All🙏
Mary, and family so sorry and sad to hear about bundy our hearts are broken ,alot of great years together and lots of laughs. Sending our love to you all, keep those great memories close to your heart.
To the Gilyan Family
Our deepest condolences. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult.
RIP Andy
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your son ,brother ,and father.Your in our thoughts and prayers !
Shirley, April,Jenna,and Travis
Mary & family,
Joe and I are so sorry to hear of Andy’s passing. He was a great guy. We all had fun working with him. We are thinking of you all at this very sad and difficult time. He will be missed. RIP Andy
So sorry to hear of Andy’s passing. I worked with him (And his Mom) at Zellers in the early 80’s and what a charmer he was. My condolences to his family. May he Rest In Peace.
So very sorry to hear of Andy’s passing. I worked at Chrysler and clearly recall the 19 year old Andy asking questions and wanting to learn. Andy was a kind gentleman..
My sincere condolences to his family on their loss
Jim Roche
My deepest condolences to the Gilyan Family. We lived across the street ages ago and have such fond memories. Thinking of you all at this very difficult time.
So sorry to hear of Andy’s passing. Andy and I did our apprenticeship together he was a super guy. R .I .P my friend
My sincere condolences are with your family at this difficult time of loss. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Sorry for your loss.
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Andy’s passing, deepest condolences to his family. Bundy was a great child hood friend and i have many happy memories of him.
To Andy’s Family: I am sorry to hear of Andy’s passing. I worked with Andy for many years at Scotia Chrysler & over the years I have a lot of memories of Andy. He was easy going & always ready to lend a hand. Always up to some prank most often on his neighbour John Lawrence. RIP old buddy.
Mary, Ildi, Robbie and all Andy’s children/ Family
I am so sorry for your loss.
Andy was a very special person and he deeply loved his family. My heart goes out to you all. May you cherish the many great memories that you have. Hey could always make you smile and his smile was contagious! We will all miss him.
Barb O’Brien MacVicar
So very sorry to hear about Andy’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Gilyan family. And mom Mary. My deepest condolences to your family on Andy’s passing. Every year on February 9th at my home on Henry street we celebrated Andy’s birthday! . I spent many a day at the family home . Andy grew up in a fantastic home, in a community of hundreds of friends. From Steve Young (Rev).
Mary and Family, please accept our heartfelt condolences on your loss. Andy was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.