Andy's partner, Anita has just contacted me, and would like to pass on the following message:
It is with the greatest sadness we announce that our beautiful Andrew left us on Monday night at 6-00 pm at home with us all beside him at home.
Andrew's funeral will be held at the Pettigrew family funeral chapel in Belmont at 10 am Monday 2/5/2011 for those wishing to attend. Andrew had requested in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either the Cancer Council, Calvalry Mater Oncology or Calvary Mater Palliative Care Outreach. Kind Regards, Anita and his family.
Condolences to everybody close to, and who knew Andy as well. He was a massive ball of energy, optimism and enthusiasm. Andy had a massive impact on me, and he will be sorely missed.
Rest In Peace Andy.
Damn, this is a big hit to kitesurfing Australia and to anyone who knew Andy. For those that didn't know he was the biggest supporter of comps and kitesurfing around Australia in the early days and did anything he could to make things happen.
Andy was an awesome bloke and I can't really remember him ever being angry at anything, he had an awesome attitude and really was an incredible induvidual.
I don't think I will ever forget some of the stories Andy told us, I'm pretty sure he lived about 4 lives in the time he was on this earth and I'm sure where ever he is now he will still be living the dream.
My condolences go to all of Andy's family and everyone who knew him. Also a big thanks to Andy for helping me out whenever he could even when I didn't even actually ride for his team!
RIP Andy we have lost you but I don't think you will ever be forgotten.
Alexander Lewis-Hughes.
Although we all knew this was coming, it does nothing to take away or diminish the shock and sadness for the loss of our mate Andy.
Andy was one of the original crew in the early days of kiteboarding and so became one of the few who can remember the days of 2-Line kites and the comeraderie that it brought with it. Thanks for all you have done for Kitesurfing Andy.
Andy's death only helps to confirm the old saying that "Only the Good die young".
So sorry for all those who were close to Andy and to his partner and family. Sincere condolences.
Rest in peace mate,
Darren Marshall
Australian Kiteboarding
This is so sad to hear. Andy was such a cool guy and i'm sure he will be missed by everyone. My condolences to all his family and everyone that knew him.
Keahi
Devastated......
Andy gave me such an amazing gift. The opportunity to be a part of his team. To travel, compete, meet amazing people, make great friends and achieve things that I wouldn't have achieved without his support. He also gave me his friendship. For that I feel a gratitude beyond words.
He really has made such a major impact in my life as I am sure he has done with many others. He was such a positive, generous, energetic soul with just a little bit of a cheeky edge. Loved it.
I am very very sad that he is gone...........It is a little hard to accept since the last time we hung out you were ok. We had such a great time snowboarding at Mt Hood last July. I wish I had given you an extra long hug goodbye.
I can hardly imagine how his family and close friends feel at the moment. Tom, Anita, family and Boardcrazy crew- I am so sorry for your loss. He was such an amazing person and will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with you.
Gone but certainly never forgotten. Bless you Andy and Rest in Peace. May there be beautiful beaches, clear water, amazing surf, wind and cold beer where you are. Thank you for all the wonderful memories.
Theresa McKirdy and Jake Gordon
x
Shocking news.
Andy sold me my first C kite and pair of boots, two items I can't do without. Was a pleasure to meet you at KS a year ago.
Condolences to family and friends.
Guy.
Andy,
Your energy and kindness will be something that stays in this community for all to aspire too.
A truly genuine kind hearted guy that will be really missed.
RIP my friend
Leon
This is very sad news. Andy was such a heart warming person and I have always seen him with a smile on his face. He will be greatly missed by all of us.
All our condolences to his family and close friends.
Marine, Franck and Cathy
If it wasn't for Andy I wouldn't be where I am today and doing what I am doing. Andy's support for new businesses in the industry was second to none. His encouragement was always uplifting and he always had time to help with any problem.
Irreplaceable. He will be missed.
RIP Andy and my thoughts are with your family.
Dave
All of our teams condolences to his Family!
Andy has been such a great guy whenever I dealt with him and he is one of the biggest supporters for young kiters and events in Australia!
You will be missed brother!!!
RIP
Marvin
Andy Regan has inspired and motivated windsurfers and kiters for the best part of thirty years. He was a truly genuine and down to earth guy who put 200% into everything that he did.
Condolences to Andys family and friends
Rest in peace mate
Ash Woolley
Andy will be remembered by us all as a passionate, successful Kiteboarder and business man. Windsurfing and Kiteboarding was his heart and soul.
He will be sadly missed.
Joe and Mel
So so sad, condolences go to his family and friends
We never met although his support and enthusiasm over the phone was cherished and a great help to us.
RIP
Emma and Scott
Andy was an amazing guy with an incredible enthusiasm and put in so much to our sport, it is hard to come to grips with him no longer being here.
Our sport will certainly miss Andy, as we all will personally.
I'm glad I had the opportunity to catch up in February.
RIP.
Ian Grose
Rip Andy, up with the wind gods now <3
You will be sorely missed amongst the watersport community Andy and I can only hope that your son, your family, your friends and everybody else who ever came into contact with you will take what we have learnt from the presence you shared with us all, and carry it on throughout our lives.
Maybe we should think about having an event/award in memory of such a beautiful man who always had such a great amount of passion for our sport?
Stay strong everybody.
Andy you have a heart of gold and I couldn't be more stoked to have had the pleasure of getting to know you.
Your enormous courage and strength in the face of such a frightening prognosis is a real inspiration to us all to seize lifes glories and be strong and tenacious in the face of lifes adversities.
I will truely miss your kindness and company and hope that the seabreaze and the waves are beyond your wildest dreams on the other side,
All my love to Anita, Tom and family
Mel
I read this as soon as laurie posted it, but was too busted up to comment. I loved the first picture before the moderator edited it,
looking into the eyes and the smile of Andy showed what a true jet he was, a person who was nothing about ego but all about soul, mate you'll be sadly missed. Andys passing was like reading book and reading the end first, we all knew it was coming, but it doesnt make it any easier. All that knew him, Andy reached immortality to us. Gone but never forgotten.
Very sad news; Andy was a great guy, always positive and happy to help out. His support of the sport of kitesurfing was well known and he was always offering encouragement to new comers to the industry.
Our thoughts are with his family & the team at Slingshot, hang in their guys.
See you on the other side Andy!
Fiona, George, Simon & Liam
Like so many I am very sad to hear this news. Andy was larger than life and a fun guy to be around. His voice that carried an audible smile will be greatly missed. I would like to wish his family all the best at this sad and difficult time.
RIP Andy
Stephen
Geez, things like this are always a shock, even when you know they're coming.
I first met Andy (though he was always "Ronald" to me) in 1990. He sponsored me through Sailworks and Caveman from 1991 until 1997 and was incredibly supportive as my sponsor, mentor and friend. I'm so glad I got to catch up with him last year at the nationals in Melbourne and have a good yarn about what we'd been doing in the years since we'd last been in regular contact.
In the 90s Andy's enthusiasm for windsurfing and sharing the stoke with fellow participants often meant he ended up working crazy hours behind the scenes getting other peoples boards built and repaired on time. He sacrificed much of his own time at the beach to help others set their gear up well and learn new techniques. Still, when he did hit the water he was always in "go-for-it" mode and had a massive haul of trophies to attest to his skill.
Andy always did what he could to promote happy participation in the sports he loved, sometimes to his detriment as a businessman, but I never heard him complain about that; for better or worse he was a waterman first and a businessman second. He was always interested in others and was friends with an enormous range of people.
Always open-minded and never pretentious, a Newcastle lad with a cosmopolitan fluidity.
You will be missed mate, RIP
Those that new Andy would all agree that he was one of the most generous people you will come across during your lifetime. If only everyone was half as generous and friendly as Andy the world would be a better place. Andy has done more for kiteboarding in oz than any other individual and his unselfish approach and support to the sport and riders is one that i will always remember. Thanks for all the help and support over the years mate but most importantly the friendship that will never be forgotten. Lots of fond memories of some good times. Condolences to Anita, your son Tom and the rest of the Family at this sad time. R.I.P mate.
Ry, Blanche, Taj and Noah.
So very sad our good mate Andy has passed, Andy will always be a part of our sport as he gave so much, his energy will live on in our hearts forever but his presence will be sadly missed. Condolences to his family
RIP Mate
Carl
This is very sad news.
Andy was such an all round nice guy. He did anything he could to help out people.
His support to me personally is something I'll always remember. He has been a key person in my life and I'm sure many others.
RIP mate.
My thoughts are with his family and everyone down in Newcastle.
Yep he definitely was a major force in supporting all aspects of kiting and helped me heaps,but on a personal level he had such a beautiful caring demeanor no matter who you were and that's what stood out the most,he was a gem...I'm going to miss catching up with him and having a chat for sure.
Kind regards to his family.
RIP Andy x
Extremely sad news! Such an awesome guy!
RIP Andy! We will miss riding with you!
Nick & Michelle Finch
PS.... Does the Newy crowd want to organise a BBQ in his honour next breeze at Squids?
Sad news. My condolences to Andy's family. Andy was such a fantastic guy - thanks for your help and friendship mate.
James
