What I do isn’t easy. What I do isn’t safe. It’s me, it’s the way I am.
I will work my hardest through the Blood, sweat, and tears.
I will not quit, even when the world tells me to stop
It’s my calling, my way of life. I’m a trucker ‘til the day I die.
Andrew “Drew” Edward Mair was born in Durham, Ontario on the 18th of February, 1980 to Walter Charles and Sharon Edith (Bryans) Mair. In a matter of 21 months he became a big brother to Jeffrey. From very early on, Drew wanted to be driving. Even before he could walk, Drew was on anything that moved – sleds, bikes, snowmobiles, cars and tractors. Drew, however, was especially excited to be in his Dad’s big trucks. He would sit in the truck cab, pretending to drive, while barely able to see over the wheel. Drew’s focus on trucks began at a very young age. While playing in the house Drew would construct his own toy trucks out of materials found around the home. He would use cardboard boxes and, with a little masking tape and some imagination, transform them into “box trucks”. These toy truck creations evolved over time to include graphics, logos, and on some occasions even real parts like old CB radio antennas from Dad’s shop to complete the experience. Drew would enlist his brother to be part of his small convoy for imaginary trucking expeditions across the country, while not leaving the confines of the bedroom. In his youth Drew also enjoyed family vacations, which included trips to Disney World, Santa’s Village, as well as the family gravel pit in Mooresburg where the family carved out their own private campsite.
Drew attended Sullivan Community School in Desboro, followed by Chesley District High School. During these formative years, Drew joined his Dad in many trips out West. One of their stops included the Calgary Stampede where Drew displayed some unexpected skills (or luck) at carnival games, winning a number of prizes. When Drew was not in a truck or around them in his Dad’s shop, he might be found endlessly re-watching truck movies like the classic Smokey and the Bandit. Aside from trucks, though, Drew did also participate in minor league hockey in Desboro for several years during elementary school. His formidable size gave him a great physical advantage over many of the smaller players. However, Drew was never the team bully. Finally, when not on the ice or in the truck, Drew found pleasure in snowmobiling through the fields of the Mair farm, and eventually on the Snowmobile Club trails. The family always had one or two beat up old snowmobiles for getting around, but they weren’t enough to satisfy Drew’s need for a real journey. While in high school Drew eventually put together enough money to buy a new Ski-Doo Formula snowmobile, which would be the envy of his friends. Drew enjoyed riding his sled on the Grey-Bruce trails and socializing with other members of the local snowmobile club-houses.
Academic study was not charming enough to keep Drew from pursuing truck-driving as soon as he became legally of age. So, Drew abandoned Chesley District High School before graduation so that he could start his career right away – Drew needed to hit the highway! However, due to a vision impairment from birth, Drew’s career plans nearly came to a halt. He was stunned when he was told that he could not get his truck license. But through his desire to drive, he found a way to obtain full licensing in the province of Saskatchewan. Drew took his first opportunity to legally drive on the highway with Walter near Prudhoe Bay and Bering Strait Alaska at the age of sixteen. His first solo trip soon followed at the young age of eighteen for his Dad. Over the years to come, Drew worked for both Hyndman and Hutton before deciding to go out on his own. Drew regularly drove freight west and then his favourite cargo, livestock, back home. Drew drove approximately 125,000 miles per years over his eighteen year trucking career. That makes for more than two million miles of trucking without any major accident.
I am a truck driver. I am a person, not a stereotype.
Without me, you wouldn’t have any of the things you need.
If I stopped working, your daily life would stop.
Drew’s first truck was a red ‘94 Freightliner that he purchased at the age of 18. The Freightliner would soon be replaced by a ‘96 Kenworth, then a series of Peterbilts. Peterbilt seemed to be the right fit for Drew because he went on to run five different ones in his career, including his final truck which was a green 2003 Pete with beautiful cream coloured accenting. Drew spent countless hours polishing the chrome on his truck, bringing it to a mirror-like shine. He would then proudly park it on the long stretch of grass in front of his house allowing the traffic to get a nice clear view of the picturesque scene.
Drew was always looking out for others, whether it was Jeff when they were kids, in the truck on the road or for friends at home. It was this maturity that allowed him to achieve so much and gain respect from his peers within the industry. Drew was well liked and was often the go-to-guy if one ever had a question about trucking. All one had to do was pick up the phone and Drew would help you out.
Sadly Drew passed away suddenly in Calgary, a city he loved, while doing what he loved, trucking, on Thursday, September 1, 2016 in his 37th year.
It’s a long, lonely, and windy road but someone has to do it!
Thank you Highway Heroes!
Beloved son of Walter and Sharon Mair of R.R. #4 Chesley. Loving brother of Jeff and his wife Misun of Toronto and cherished uncle of Liam. Drew will be sadly missed by his grandfather Ed Bryans of Varney, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He will live on in the hearts and minds of those who enjoyed his friendship over the years while he was on the road.
A celebration of Drew’s life will be held at the Chesley Community Centre on Sunday, September 18, 2016 beginning at 1 p.m. A short memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. A procession of trucks driven by friends of Drew will drive through Chesley before the service to pay respect and his passion for all things trucking.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Chesley Hospital Foundation are appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
Sending my deepest sympathy to your family. The trucking community will be sharing your sorrow. I did not know Drew personally but my Dad, Bill, used to speak fondly of him. May the love of family and friends as well as good memories help you through this difficult time.
To the Mair family. I was shocked to hear of Drews death. I had a coffee with him in parry sound just a week before. He will be missed. Truck on drew. My biggest condolances
Deepest sympathy to Walter, Sharon and family.
I am so sorry to hear about Drew. I met him out west when he and Bill were trucking. Bill always spoke very highly of him. He will certainly be missed.
So sorry to hear about Drew. I fondly recall Drew in my Grade 10 math class saying “What am I ever going to use this for in trucking? ” So, I tried to make the finance part practical for him calculating taxes and income and expenses related to owning his own truck. I did not realize that he did not graduate…… he was certainly capable………..I understand though….. the road just got him and he was finally able to do what he ALWAYS wanted to do.
Later in life he enjoyed telling stories with me about trucking with my dad and after dad’s tragic accident in Saskatchewan Drew always made a point of finding me if I was out somewhere. He just wanted to say hi and to tell me how he always blew the horn driving by the accident site and memorial cross on the Trans Canada. I loved those conversations with Drew. He will be missed.
My deepest sympathies to Walter and Sharon and family.
Walter, Sharon and family,
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you
I’ve really been struggling about what to write here. I am so very sorry for your loss Walter, Sharon, Jeff and family. He is someone that will never be replaced. His huge heart and personality will be something I will never forget about him. He was a great friend to me for many years. Always there with an ear or if I needed to borrow his pick up if Adam had ours. But it always came with a warning… don’t wreck my truck or ypu will be cleaning my house for years lol. He hosted several get togethers, always taking the time to take us girls out for a rip in the big rig.. explaining the true trucker talk we shpuld know about.. like riding cool in the stool! Every time i hear the song funky cold medina… ill be reminded of how many times we danced around to it like idiots but we didnt care!!I still havnt came to grips with it and I send all of my love to you guys in this hard time. He was truly a special guy, one of a kind. And he will leave a void down here like no other.
My condolences to the Mair family. Drew was always a close friend growing up in Desboro. I remember him in grade school with his calm polite presence. I remember great teammate in hockey. I remember his fondness for his dad’s profession as we aged. I remember his friendly additude as we moved to high school.
Although we lost touch over the years Drew and his family had a big part in my life. Birthday parties and hockey dinners. Being classmates with Drew and then roommates with Jeff. The Mair family always treated me kindly.
My sympathies to Jeff, Walter and Sharon. A great loss of family. I will treasure my memories of Drew.
Our deepest condolences to Walter, Sharon and family on the passing of your son Drew. I remember him as always liking
a challenge in the cattle hauling business. He will be missed by many drivers.
I am very sorry to hear about Drew’s passing. I remember him fondly from when he was a student at CDHS. Please accept my sincere condolences.
To Mair family passing of Drew will be greatly missed as a friend and livestock ind. happy cow hauling across the sky .
Our deepest sympathy to the Mair family at the sudden passing of Drew. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Walter and family, please accept my sincerest sympathy for your loss.
So sorry for the lost of your son,Drew ,you have Janet and I’s deepest sympathy.RIP
Deepest symapthies to Walter, Sharon and family from the Schaus Family and all the staff at Schaus Land & Cattle.
Deepest sympathy to the Mair Family from the Johnson Family and staff at B & L Farm Services Ltd.
Our deepest condolences to Drew’s family for this horrible tragedy. Drew was such a kind young man who could always put a smile on your face. He will be so missed by so many. May his family and friends find peace and solice in the memories they share.
To Walter & Sharon and Mair family,
Drew will be missed by us all on and off the rd Great guy ….
In and out of his truck he sure show me a lot
Of short cuts over the years and always would pick up the cb and chat and help you out…
Our Condolence to your family
The Mairs brothers of the hwy may he be lost
But never forgot god bless ..
Walter, Sharon and family,
I am very sorry to hear about the sudden passing of your son Drew. You guys have my prayers and support as you go through this difficult time, and my wish is that it gets better after some time and that you remember him in your hearts. Drew will be forever remember in your hearts and minds.
Deepest sympathy to Walter, Sharon and family . He will be in the hearts of many people that knew him. Treasure the memories and he will be trucking on forever . Randy Scott .
Our heartfelt thoughts with the entire Mair family and friends.
I have never met Drew in person, but he was sharing photos of his truck on our Facebook Page:”I love Cattle trucks”…
The news of his death came as a total surprise to me..
Our sincere condolences to the family and all who is concerned out of Abilene, Texas
I first met Drew 18 years ago at the fuel pumps. Later that year, Walter and I decided that we were distant relatives. As Drew dealt with all the challenges of a career in trucking, I was one of the guys cheering for him to succeed. On the road, Drew at times would be looking forward to having a “big nap”. He can have one now. Rest in Peace Drew. The Cattle Haulers are going to miss meeting you on the road.
Tom Govier, Hutton #85
Sincere sympathy on the passing of Drew . Treasure your memories .Shawn (Slim),CHRISTA, Adam , Linda (Bruce) O’Connor
To Walter, Sharon and family.
My heartfelt condolences in the loss of your son and brother. May God grant you strength in the coming days and fond memories of a kind man. Drew will be trucking across the sky now.
To the Mair Family,
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Drew. I met Drew in 1994 at CDHS where we sat near each other for the next 5 years in homeroom…Me being “Mac” and he “Mai”, our lockers were always next to each other as well. Drew was a very kind, gentle soul, and would never do anything but try to help someone. It was a pleasure knowing him.
To Walter, your family and all of Drew’s “Bumper Buddies” I am so saddened for your loss. Drew was a kind, sweet man who often made me smile and laugh. His loss will be mourned by many… Prayers, strength and peace…