Andre Marcel Frere

Four years after they married, Andre became a father to twin boys, Justin and Vincent. He knew in that moment that his life would never be the same, and he embraced fatherhood with strong conviction, love, and responsibility. Five years later, he and Gloria welcomed their third son, Brandon.

As a family of five, Andre provided a reliable and supportive home, devoted always to his wife and his three boys. He worked hard all week and made certain the weekends belonged to his family — one adventure after the next. He introduced his sons to many different activities, including snow skiing, water skiing, fishing, camping, hunting, scuba diving, freediving for abalone, and even flying. Andre was a certified scuba diver and a private pilot who owned an airplane in his early twenties. The joy he took in these pursuits became his sons' inheritance: they learned from his hobbies, his energy, and his endless appetite for the abundance that life has to offer.

A master with his hands, Andre took pride in his work, whether in the kitchen, at the workbench, holding a fishing pole, or under a car hood. He frequently flexed his culinary skills, never failing to impress. He had an uncanny knack for extending the life of many a gadget and could catch just about any fish he set his mind to. There was no engine he couldn't bring back to life, no mechanical challenge he could not overcome.

Once, while aboard his dear friend Jim's boat far off the coast of Baja, Mexico, the engine failed, leaving them stranded at sea. Thankfully, Andre, ever willing to help, was there to resurrect the engine and return his friends home safely. That was Andre — always willing to help. Wherever he was and whenever he was needed, his answer never changed: "I can do it."

Andre’s strong work ethic and remarkable skill with his hands left a lasting impression on each of his sons, teaching them not only the value of a hard day’s work, but also the importance of ingenuity, resourcefulness, and working smarter, not harder.

In the later years of his life, Andre carried a deep and abiding gratitude for the gifts he had been given throughout his life — above all, his wife and his family. He would often grow emotional speaking of how much he loved them and how lucky he was to have their love. Some of the last words he spoke, while embracing his family in the hospital and holding their arms close, were simply: "I love you guys."

Andre’s gratitude for Gloria was immeasurable. Their connection was so deep and natural that it was as though they had known and loved each other for lifetimes before this one.

Andre lived life fully, and he lived it outdoors. His travels carried him through Europe, Africa, Asia, Canada, Central America, and across the United States. And although he liked to travel, his favorite place to be was always home.