Celebration of life planned for former Wellington County CAO Jim Andrews

GUELPH – A celebration of life is planned on Aug. 25 for former Wellington County CAO Jim Andrews, who passed away on July 26.

Andrews served as the CAO/clerk from 1984 to 1998.

Jim Andrews

The beloved husband of Susan (née Burns) for 46 years, he died peacefully with his family by his side at Guelph General Hospital at the age of 80.

Andrews was born in Glasgow, Scotland on May 7, 1939.

In 1960, he moved to Canada, eventually establishing himself as the deputy clerk for Halton Region.

In 1968, he moved to the City of Guelph, where he was also deputy clerk, and in 1984 he moved to the County of Wellington as clerk, eventually becoming Wellington’s first Chief Administrative Officer.

When Wellington County began searching for a new CAO in the early 1980s, Bill Adsett, founder of the Wellington Advertiser and then Reeve of Eramosa Township, was part of the search committee.

“We were looking for someone capable, but also personable and with some experience elsewhere … Jim fit that description pretty well,” Adsett said. “He took his work seriously, and tried to present the best solutions to the elected representatives for approval.”

Former Puslinch Reeve Archie MacRobbie said Andrews “seemed to have everything under control. He knew who to talk to for advice.”

Andrews cherished his time at the county and developed strong friendships with many of his colleagues.

In his crowning professional achievement, Andrews spearheaded the amalgamation of 21 municipalities into seven, which took effect on Jan. 1, 1999. At the time of his retirement in 1998, Andrews received numerous accolades from politicians around the county council table.

Cremation has taken place, with a private service at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

A celebration of life will be held in Aboyne Hall at the county museum on Aug. 25 from 2 to 6pm.

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