Robert Andrew, 1953 (son of Grace and Gordon Nelson)
Robert Andrew (Bob) grew up with the McCarthy interest and ability in sports and his natural talent was apparent when he started playing both baseball and hockey at a very young age. Among his many accomplishments over the years in sports, Bob was team captain of two All-Ontario Championship hockey teams in the early 70s. In the mid-sixties, he was chosen to play in the Quebec Pee Wee Hockey Tournament at the Quebec Carnival in Quebec City. As a teenager he played baseball on the All-Ontario Baseball Championship team as the catcher. Today, Bob continues to play hockey and baseball and coaches youngsters in both baseball and hockey in the Keene community.
Bob started working in the construction business with his brother Paul at Fred Nelson and Sons and later, Robert Young Construction. In 1981, he began working with the Township of Otonabee Roads Department. He was the last Road Superintendent in Otonabee Township before the amalgamation with South Monaghan Township. Bob was the Deputy Fire Chief of the Township from 1985 to 2000.
In May 1987 he married Joanne Verhoven, 1960. Joanne’s parents had emigrated from Holland and settled just east of the McCarthy family home. Joanne is an avid gardener and each spring she organizes a plant sale that has raised over $45,000, all of which has been donated to Sick Children’s Hospital for retinoblastohphma research. Bob and Joanne’s names are engraved on the donor’s wall at Sick Kid’s in recognition of their generous contributions. Joanne is also very creative with woodworking. They hold an annual family barbecue at their home each summer and all of their siblings and grandchildren (51) are usually there.
Bob and Joanne have two children:
- Sarah Grace, 1988
- Michael Andrew, 1990
