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.