David Andrew Barlett
04 December 1966 – 24 April 2023
With family by his side, David Andrew Bartlett, a resident of Kenora, ON passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on April 24th, 2023 at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital at the age of 56.
Andrew was born on December 4, 1966 in Pembroke, Ontario as the third of what would be a family of five children. Elizabeth (Libby), Roger, Andrew, Brian and Shannon.
From the time Andrew could walk, we knew he loved sports. He played high school hockey and football at DHS and quickly became very popular as a the quarterback of the Eagles. In his early adult years he worked for the Dryden Mill and went on to coach Eagles football and soccer for many years. Andrew was the special teams coach for DHS football and was a great mentor to many of kids he coached.
Andrew worked diligently with Dryden Men’s and Woman’s soccer as well as Youth Soccer once his own children came along. He could be seen regularly, coaching, refereeing, organizing teams, team events or even painting the lines on the old field so that things would be ready for the kids and adults alike to play.
He worked tirelessly to advocate for the space for the fields and to develop skills by organizing clinics and skills camps for the kids to attend.
In 1995 he became father to Abby and in 1997 Brendan. He would bring them along to his many soccer events and games with pride and went on to teach and coach them too. The red Jeep could be seen, top off, country tunes blaring, kids in tow on the way to the field. Some of his favourite times were spent travelling with them, coaching and watching them play the sports they loved. It was with his kids that he became very involved with Dryden Girls and Dryden Minor Hockey.
Andrew then went on to a job change as an Investment Consultant with Investors Group in Kenora, ON and more focus to reffing Men’s Hockey when the kids were no longer playing. Andrew loved to be at the rink. He cared deeply about the game and its players and took the time to get to know everyone. He was known for talking with the players and coaches on the ice and leading by example. His proudest refereeing moments were officiating the 2018 Dudley Hewitt Cup and being recognized as the 2018 Most Dedicated Official by Hockey Northwestern Ontario and most recently the SIJHL Most Dedicated Official award.
In the fall of 2019, Andrew was diagnosed with colon cancer but he didn’t let this slow him down and he continued to do what he loved, spending time with family, watching NFL football every Sunday and reffing hockey.
Andrew will be lovingly remembered by his two children, Abby Bartlett (Adam Notte) and Brendan Bartlett (Lyndsey Oliphant), his loving partner Gayle Mutrie and her daughters Katie (Matt) and Sara. His parents, Dale and Kathy Bartlett ~ sister Libby Hermanson (Dave), Roger Bartlett (Kathy), Brian Bartlett, Shannon Cooper (Steve). His Aunt and Uncle Leni and Terri Ellwood and their family. Nieces and nephews ~ David Ainslie, Sarah McPherren (Jeff), Brittni Almgren, Jenna Dyck (Jon), Matthew Bartlett (Carly), Kristen Bartlett (Nic), Justin Dyck (Carissa), Joy Dyck (Josh), Jewel Dyck along with great nieces and nephews.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to Dryden Youth Soccer or Dryden Minor Hockey.
A private celebration of life will take place at a later date.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Bartlett family.
