Andrew Derek Pyper 1968-2025

Andrew Pyper, 56, beloved father, husband, and accomplished author, passed away peacefully—his wife Heidi and children Maude and Ford by his side.

Andrew was the youngest of five siblings, born in Stratford, Ontario, to parents John and Olive (Mooney). Younger by eight years, Andrew filled many roles, including road hockey goalie (sans padding), golf caddie, TV channel changer (before remotes), a life-size doll for sister Sheelagh and bellhop on family trips.

The dye was cast at a young age - while Andrew’s classmates read comics, Andrew carried a briefcase full of “New Yorker” magazines and Graham Greene novels, earning him the nickname ‘the Professor” in grade school. His first published work was a letter to the editor of the Stratford Beacon Herald, demanding a stop sign at the top of the street where he played. He continued to wage traffic wars to his final days - slamming car hoods and hollering at anyone speeding through the four-way stop near his home. After writing, traffic safety was his true passion.

Andrew graduated from McGill University with an Honours BA and MA in English Literature, followed by a Law degree from the University of Toronto. He was called to the Bar in 1996 - that same year he published “Kiss Me” a collection of short stories. Andrew never practiced law - instead, he took a leap of faith and pursued his love of writing and went on to publish 14 novels many of which were translated and sold internationally. He ended his career writing under the pseudonym Mason Coile. Two Mason Coile novels are slated to be published posthumously.

If you were to ask - Andrew would tell you that his greatest accomplishments were his roles of husband and father. Andrew and his wife Heidi had a whirlwind courtship that included a 5-month adventure travelling across the country, landing in Whitehorse, where Andrew wrote The Wildfire Season. Before returning home, he proposed beside the Yukon River with a lump of gold prospected from Last Chance Creek, a humorously appropriate name for a loving union of over 20 years.

Nothing gave Andrew more pleasure or pride than watching his children grow and thrive. He enjoyed attending their games, tournaments, performances and graduations. Above all, he cherished time spent with family- movie nights, sharing meals, and holidays. He even built a cottage with no experience (or tools), intending to create time and a place to be together. Maude and Ford were everything to him.

Andrew was not done living, writing, raising his children or loving his wife but accepted his illness with tremendous courage and grace. Over the past year, he often remarked on how grateful he was, saying that if someone offered him more time but a different journey, he would not trade any of it. He could not help but feel lucky for the life he had.

He leaves behind a close family who he loved and who loved him dearly. Andrew was the cherished brother to Sheelagh (Peter Kalman) Alex (Hilary Frank), Jamie (Kathy McCain), Jonathan (Cathy Thompson), Brother-in-law Matheson Rittenhouse (Tara McCrae) and sister-in-law Andrea Rittenhouse (Kamal Lazar) and Mother-in-law Donnie Rittenhouse. He was the proud uncle to a raft of incredible nieces and nephews and three new grand-nephews. Andrew was predeceased by his parents, John and Olive Pyper and his father-in-law, David Rittenhouse. Information about a celebration of life will be updated in the coming days.