In Memory of Andrew Evinou
Donation protected
Brian Evinou is my cousin, best man, best friend and the brother I never had. It breaks my heart to share the news that on Sunday, November 15th, Brian and Mirjana tragically lost their beautiful three year old son, Andy.
This memorial fund has been prepared on behalf of Andrew Robert Evinou and in support of Brian, Mirjana and their son Peter. We wish to help them however we can as they go through something no parent or family should ever have to experience.
Below are some beautiful words written by Brian about this brave, loving and incredible boy. These words capture Andy's story and beauty to perfection. Please read this story - we promise you will see just how much this little man achieved in his short life and how much of a real life superhero he has truly been and continues to be as he lives on in others.
We thank you for your generous and thoughtful donation at this tragic time - every dollar counts and is sincerely appreciated.
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Andy was always happy. Everywhere he went, he went with a smile and he left smiles in his wake. Andy was a big people person always saying hi to anyone who he happened upon. People always bring up Andrew’s positive spirit and we often marvelled at it ourselves. Mirjana and I are so lucky to have had Andrew in our life. He was a great son and he leaves us with memories we will treasure for the rest of our lives. We will miss his hugs, his sweet voice, his energy and his incredible spirit. We have been absolutely privileged to be parents to this amazing kid and to get to watch him absolutely flourish over his short life. Andy was always getting stronger and smarter. His walking was coming on quickly, he had begun to do addition and he could read some words.
Andrew loved his brother, Peter. Andrew would follow Peter everywhere and copy everything his big brother did. Peter loved superheroes and so did Andrew. Peter loves to dance and so did Andrew. They shared so much and had, since June, shared bunk beds which Andrew was so proud of. Peter and Andrew made each other laugh so much and their love is something we will always treasure. Peter will need all of our love and support.
Andrew also loved his extended family. His Baba, his Grandma and his Granddad. Andy’s aunts and uncles, Kosta, Doug, Clara, Susan and Andrew. And his special aunts and uncles, Lawrence, Aunt Janet, Charlotte, Paul and Leah who were all big parts of his life. He loved them all and I can hear him greeting each of them happily, so clearly now.
Andrew had a special connection with his incredible day care providers. Most of all Bita and Sara, who looked after Andy when Mommy and Daddy worked. He loved them so much and we are so grateful to them.
Andy also had an amazing team of therapists who got him to maximize his incredible potential. We are so grateful for all the work they did and wish we could have seen the great heights he would have reached with their help. We know he would have got there.
Andrew loved super heroes and is a superhero himself, saving many lives. He was the last Canadian to undergo in-utero surgery in America, to close the hole in his spine caused by Spina Bifida. We were followed by our two Doctors, Dr. Drake and Dr. Ryan, who needed to observe Andrew’s in-utero repair before offering the surgery in Canada. Two weeks after we returned from Nashville Dr. Drake and Dr. Ryan performed their first in-utero repair in Toronto. No more families have to leave Canada anymore to receive this life changing surgery and Andrew helped in that. We are also comforted in that Andrew is leaving some of himself behind to help others. Although Andrew died on Sunday we stayed with Andrew until Tuesday when he bravely gave the gift of life to other kids in need. Four other children will be getting donations from Andrew that will help them live their fullest lives. This gives us great comfort.
Andrew was always a fighter. Andrew was born two months premature and had a rough start spending more than half of his fist year in the NICU at Mt. Sinai, where he was born, and then the Neurosurgery and pediatrics wards at Sick Kids. Andrew battled through a shunt surgery, RSV, needing a G-Tube to feed for his first year and uncountable tests, needles, ultrasounds, CAT Scans, MRI’s and everything else under the sun. Despite all that, Andrew always came through smiling and somehow brighter and cheerier each time.
Andrew was loved so much and he loved others unconditionally. There are no words to express how much we continue to love him and miss him. He is the light of our lives and a sweet angel that we will never, ever forget. The pain of losing him is indescribable, however we would do it all again because having him in our lives has been such a gift and has caused our hearts and minds to grow to unfathomable limits. He is such a good boy. We will love you forever, sweet precious Andrew.
This memorial fund has been prepared on behalf of Andrew Robert Evinou and in support of Brian, Mirjana and their son Peter. We wish to help them however we can as they go through something no parent or family should ever have to experience.
Below are some beautiful words written by Brian about this brave, loving and incredible boy. These words capture Andy's story and beauty to perfection. Please read this story - we promise you will see just how much this little man achieved in his short life and how much of a real life superhero he has truly been and continues to be as he lives on in others.
We thank you for your generous and thoughtful donation at this tragic time - every dollar counts and is sincerely appreciated.
---------
Andy was always happy. Everywhere he went, he went with a smile and he left smiles in his wake. Andy was a big people person always saying hi to anyone who he happened upon. People always bring up Andrew’s positive spirit and we often marvelled at it ourselves. Mirjana and I are so lucky to have had Andrew in our life. He was a great son and he leaves us with memories we will treasure for the rest of our lives. We will miss his hugs, his sweet voice, his energy and his incredible spirit. We have been absolutely privileged to be parents to this amazing kid and to get to watch him absolutely flourish over his short life. Andy was always getting stronger and smarter. His walking was coming on quickly, he had begun to do addition and he could read some words.
Andrew loved his brother, Peter. Andrew would follow Peter everywhere and copy everything his big brother did. Peter loved superheroes and so did Andrew. Peter loves to dance and so did Andrew. They shared so much and had, since June, shared bunk beds which Andrew was so proud of. Peter and Andrew made each other laugh so much and their love is something we will always treasure. Peter will need all of our love and support.
Andrew also loved his extended family. His Baba, his Grandma and his Granddad. Andy’s aunts and uncles, Kosta, Doug, Clara, Susan and Andrew. And his special aunts and uncles, Lawrence, Aunt Janet, Charlotte, Paul and Leah who were all big parts of his life. He loved them all and I can hear him greeting each of them happily, so clearly now.
Andrew had a special connection with his incredible day care providers. Most of all Bita and Sara, who looked after Andy when Mommy and Daddy worked. He loved them so much and we are so grateful to them.
Andy also had an amazing team of therapists who got him to maximize his incredible potential. We are so grateful for all the work they did and wish we could have seen the great heights he would have reached with their help. We know he would have got there.
Andrew loved super heroes and is a superhero himself, saving many lives. He was the last Canadian to undergo in-utero surgery in America, to close the hole in his spine caused by Spina Bifida. We were followed by our two Doctors, Dr. Drake and Dr. Ryan, who needed to observe Andrew’s in-utero repair before offering the surgery in Canada. Two weeks after we returned from Nashville Dr. Drake and Dr. Ryan performed their first in-utero repair in Toronto. No more families have to leave Canada anymore to receive this life changing surgery and Andrew helped in that. We are also comforted in that Andrew is leaving some of himself behind to help others. Although Andrew died on Sunday we stayed with Andrew until Tuesday when he bravely gave the gift of life to other kids in need. Four other children will be getting donations from Andrew that will help them live their fullest lives. This gives us great comfort.
Andrew was always a fighter. Andrew was born two months premature and had a rough start spending more than half of his fist year in the NICU at Mt. Sinai, where he was born, and then the Neurosurgery and pediatrics wards at Sick Kids. Andrew battled through a shunt surgery, RSV, needing a G-Tube to feed for his first year and uncountable tests, needles, ultrasounds, CAT Scans, MRI’s and everything else under the sun. Despite all that, Andrew always came through smiling and somehow brighter and cheerier each time.
Andrew was loved so much and he loved others unconditionally. There are no words to express how much we continue to love him and miss him. He is the light of our lives and a sweet angel that we will never, ever forget. The pain of losing him is indescribable, however we would do it all again because having him in our lives has been such a gift and has caused our hearts and minds to grow to unfathomable limits. He is such a good boy. We will love you forever, sweet precious Andrew.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lawrence Thompson
Organizer
Brian Evinou
Beneficiary