September 26th 1951 – December 1st 2024
André R. Proulx, of Newmarket, Ontario died suddenly in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic while enjoying a sunshine vacation with his partner Linda at the age of 73.
André was born at home in Ryland, Ontario to parents Évariste Proulx and Rose-Hélène Cliche.
Ninth of 10 surviving children, he grew up enjoying the great outdoors, being surrounded by friends, and always being on adventures and up to mischief.
André attended Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, graduating in Commerce in 1974. He started his career as a Chartered Accountant in Toronto, ON. Moving back to Hearst in 1979 with a new wife to start a family close to his own large boisterous one. They have two daughters, Andréa and Josée who grew up at the cottage with their father always working on an outdoor project and being followed closely by the overfed chickens.
He later moved to Simcoe, ON in 1986 and finally settled in Newmarket, ON in 1990. Despite living “in the big city”, he continued to enjoy numerous hunting and fishing trips up North. André always kept that small town generosity of caring for his neighbours. Whether it be building a deck or plowing your driveway, André was there to do the job. He retired from a long career he enjoyed as Manager of Finance & Accounting at the Ontario Nurses' Association in 2018.
Never a man to truly retire, André kept very busy as the Newmarket Veterans’ Association Treasurer and supported his community in many ways including as a personal tax accountant.
He was preceded by his personal assistant and sidekick little poodle Gofur.
What he loved most was being surrounded by people. To share a joke, with a beer or just to sit and watch the world, you always felt relaxed and welcome with André. He will be remembered for his generosity, his green thumb and his laughter. That full belly laugh.
André is survived by his long time partner Linda Lipka, his previous wife Patricia Melville, his daughters Andréa Proulx and Josée Proulx and their respective spouses Daniel Thomson and Brett Uhler as well as his grandson Adrien (of Andréa). We hope the latter inherits his generous and kind hearted nature - he will be taught the belly laugh.
“Here, have another one.” - André
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Newmarket Veterans’ Association on Sunday, January 19th from 1pm to 4pm.
Funeral and interment will follow in Hearst, ON. André will be laid to rest up North in the spring, when the snow melts and the fishing is good. Please contact his daughters for further details as the time approaches at [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to La fondation de l’Hôpital Notre-Dame Hospital of Hearst, ON Foundation at www.NDH.on.ca or another charity close to your heart.