Obituary of Andrew J. Punwasie

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Andrew J. Punwasie, affectionately known as "Andy," on July 6, 2025, in Brampton, Ontario, at the age of 71. He passed away peacefully of natural causes and will be loved and cherished by his family and friends forever.

Andrew was born on November 9, 1953, in Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant, Guyana, to the late Baldeo and Sonu Punwasie.

He will be best remembered for his sharp wit, wealth of knowledge, and deep love for his family, culture, and heritage.

He dedicated much of his early career to education, teaching at the Church of Scotland School in Skeldon, Guyana, before moving into public service as a trust examiner/ auditor for the Federal Government of Canada. Andrew was deeply respected for his work ethic, attention to detail, and exceptional communication skills.

He had a gift for turning complex information into something understandable, often with humor, helping others learn while making them laugh.

Outside of work, Andrew had a wide range of interests that reflected his curious and creative nature. He had a passion for flying small aircraft and loved the freedom and excitement it brought him.

Music was a constant in his life, and he enjoyed everything from reggae and soca to chutney and classic rock. He was never too shy to make a request or introduce someone to a new song. He even wrote his own music and played the guitar.

Andrew was a lifelong learner, especially interested in history and spirituality, which he explored through books, documentaries, and personal reflection.

He was a passionate hockey fan and a devoted supporter of the Edmonton Oilers. He also loved agriculture and gardening, interests he expressed even through gaming, with titles like FarmVille.

He’ll be remembered for his love of good food and coffee, which he used to bring friends together, and for the posts he shared that made people laugh, think, or smile.

Andrew is survived by his loving ex-wife, Laura, and her son, Michael Punwasie.

He was deeply loved by his siblings: Lewis, Llyod, Baby, Baj, Jo-Anne, and Babsy; as well as his in-laws: Valika and Seeta, the late Basil and Amroon.

He was a beloved uncle to Raj, Bridgette, Amrita, Maurice, Sunita, Bovin, Reshma, Diana, Ambika, Shaun, Chris, and the late Sherita and Rubina.

He was a proud great-uncle to Kristina, Crystal, Tiffany, Amber, Rebecca, Aaron, Aidan, Akil, Jacob, Jayden, Leticia, Tyrese, Zayne, Kira, Tyler, Saydee, Suhana, Isayah, Samaya, Kailee, and the late Angel.

His legacy of love, laughter, and learning will live on through the memories of his cherished loved ones.

The family would like to thank all those who have offered their condolences and support during this difficult time.