Our beloved father and grandfather peacefully passed away at Soldiers' Memorial Hospital in Middleton NS on January 31, 2022, surrounded by family. Born on October 6, 1933, in Corberrie, NS, he was the younger son of the late Ivan Joseph and Estelle Marie (Comeau) Blinn. Andy attended a one-room schoolhouse in Corberrie, then worked at a lumber box mill in Digby prior to his joining the RCAF in 1952 as an Airframe Technician AKA - Rigger. Following his basic training in St. Jean QC he was posted to St. Herbert QC; Lachine QC; Cold Lake AB and RCAF Stn Chatham NB, working on the F-86 Sabre – Dad's favourite aircraft.

While posted to Chatham he met the love of his life and future wife, Norma Burns, at a house party in Bartholomew NB. They married in 1958 at Saint Raphael's RC Church, Blackville NB. 1959 saw the arrival of their first child and a posting to #2 Fighter Wing Grostenquin, France.  Andy and Norma returned to Canada in 1963 with three children, first posted to RCAF Stn Rockcliffe ON, then to RCAF Uplands ON. Then having four children, Andy also worked after hours as manager of the Base' wood hobby shop and did bicycle repair. The next posting brought the family to CFB Greenwood NS in 1971. Andy and Norma built their home in Kingston, and he retired from the CAF in 1982, after 30 years of service.

Andy loved to tinker and build things.  He had built dune buggies with old VW chassis, often taking one of them to go fishing at places you could not access by car. (His kids enjoyed the dune buggies too). Dad enjoyed exploring back roads to see where he would end up and was always on the lookout for a new fishing hole. In his younger years he often went ice fishing with his buddies. He was active in the Kingston Lions Club for many years and operated his business, Andy's Bicycle Repair, until retiring for a final time in 2000. Being a woodworker at heart, Andy made many things for his family and others over the years: bird feeders, bird houses, wishing wells, arbors, trellises, washer toss games, cremation boxes, etc. He liked to be busy and disliked sitting still.

Andy is survived by his children Paul (Connie), Mary (Bill), Betty, Sharon (Dennis); granddaughters Alana ((Alec) and their children Veia, Evan and Micah), Jillian (Jake); RB Burton; honorary daughter Tracey and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Mary Norma Blinn (Burns) and brother Dennis Blinn.

Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation or service. A private family internment is planned for a later date.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank:  the VON team; the medical teams from Valley Regional Hospital and Soldiers' Memorial Hospital that cared for Dad; and to the EHS paramedics for the care and compassion they displayed.  We cannot emphasize enough how much we appreciate these essential services, especially during these trying times.

Donations in memory may be made to the Heart and Lung Association or the Valley Cardiac Rehab Society.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main St. toll free 1-855-825-3448.