He told us of his triumphs and personal tragedies of the endless treatments and wonderings.
Andrew told of his love for his family and friends and his mixed emotions and most importantly of all he showed how a man could still his life to the full while battling this dreadful disease.
It was tonic for those Coast people suffering for cancer and for those who support them in their darkest hours. If Andrew could do it, we could all do it.
Director of Rhema Radio, WWII historian, an Award-Winning Chef, Author…there was so much more to Andrew than simply being a victim. He simply told us his story in beautiful Posts and we went on the journey with him.
These stories seldom have a happy ending and Andrew knew his chances were slim at best.
But he wrote it all down and shared it in regular Posts and we all were cheering him along.
I know how brave a man must be to share his story. I lost my wife Bronwyn in very similar circumstances.
On May 24 he thanked his 4800 Facebook followers for their birthday wishes from the previous day when he wrote: "61 Today, victory day. Every day is a bonus."
Still, the final post on Andrew’s Facebook Page came as a shock to us all:
“Today we said goodbye to the bravest, kindest and most loving husband, father and father in law. My best friend for 43 years, married for 39,” his wife Nerida wrote.
“He fought to live for his family with everything in him. He served Jesus with a passion and was gentle, generous and loving to all he met. He was a true soldier and mate, an overcomer to the end.
“He is forever in our hearts; we were privileged to be loved so well by him. Gone way too soon. I love you always my Darling, till we meet again....”
Farewell to Andrew Church, the Central Coast hero whose story touched us all.
