DELLANDREA, Aubrey Celesty

Went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 at Gravenhurst, Ontario with wife, Bette at his side. He was in his 91st year. Aubrey was born February 12, 1917 on the family farm in Arnstein, Ontario to Francis and Gertrude Dellandrea. At a young age, Aubrey felt called to be an evangelist, and entered the ministry with a commendation from the Arnstein assembly as a full-time worker in 1939, at 22 years of age. A year later he married his sweetheart, Ena Rebecca Bernardo, moved to Port Loring, and had four children, David, Neil, Patricia and Jon.



In the summer of 1959 Aubrey, Ena and family moved to North Bay, where the following year Aubrey expanded his ministry to include a weekly radio program, “The Heavenly Sunshine Broadcast“. During the next 43 years this broadcast was heard on over 35 stations - most of them in Ontario - but also in New Brunswick, Michigan, Texas and France. The program was halted only after Aubrey experienced a stroke in 2003, or his voice would likely still be heard today welcoming his listeners in “Radioland“! While he further expanded his ministry through a number of roadside bible texts, he continued his preaching as a much sought- after speaker, with bookings several years in advance. A tireless worker, Aubrey, when not traveling, recording radio broadcasts, or preparing and giving sermons, could be found in prisons, hospitals and nursing homes preaching and visiting the sick and aged.



Somehow over the years he found the time to build 4 houses and a cottage (as well as a couple of Gospel Halls!). It was the cottage on Eagle Lake where Aubrey found a little bit of free time, and in later years it became a favourite oasis where he and Ena could often be spotted in the water, out in the canoe, or playing Scrabble on the porch. It took him years to reach the point of allowing himself a total “holiday“ however, as for 30 plus years the Dellandrea family vacation at Eagle Lake included a daily children's service affectionately known as “Happy Hour“ hosted by “Uncle Aubrey“ Dellandrea and “Uncle Chuck“ Pinches.



In January, 2001, his beloved Ena, devoted wife and companion of 60 plus years, went home to be with her Lord leaving Aubrey with a broken and empty heart. Happiness returned, however, when Bette Bailey caught his eye, bringing new life to his smile and a spring to his step. They were married October 20, 2001. Bette had been a loyal care-giver to Ena during her final years, and in that same spirit became the primary care- giver to Aubrey when he was sidelined by a stroke after only 20 months of happy marriage. Bette was there at his side last Tuesday evening when he peacefully left this world for his eternal reward. Aubrey will be deeply missed by sons David, Neil and Jon, and daughter Pat, along with their spouses, Carol, Marilyn, Lyne and Dave (Burt). The loss of “Grandpa“ will be equally felt by Meredith, Kathy and Glen, Allison and Paul, Donna and Brian, Christine and Jeff, Matthew and Tara, and Brendan. He was also the much-loved “Great-Grandpa“ to Garrett and Tyson, Jack, Abigail and Patrick, and Eamon and Liam. Through marriage to Bette, Aubrey also became step-father to Cindy, Cheryl and Dom, Andrew and Aveeta, and “Grandpa“ to Ryan, Jamie and Sarah, Robert, Michael and David, and Noah and Alex - all of whom will also miss his smiles and warm hugs. Aubrey, one of 11 children, was predeceased by brothers Elmer, Geoffrey, Ernie and Frank, and sisters Joyce, Margaret and Frances. He is mourned today by sister Dorothy and brother-in-law Lawson Davis, brother Herb and sister-in- law Lois and brother Fred and sister-in-law Dorothy.



The late Mr. Aubrey Dellandrea will be resting at the MOORE'S FUNERAL CHAPEL, 9 Paget Street, Sunridge on Friday June 1, 2007 from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Funeral service will be conducted at the South River Christian Assembly on Saturday June 2, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. with Mr. Jim Comte officiating. His remains will be interred at the Siloam Cemetery on the Eagle Lake Road in South River. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Light Haven Home Inc. P.O. Box 87, Bruce Mines, ON P0R 1C0, The Gideons, 501 Imperial Rd. N., Guelph, Ontario N1H 7 A2, or the charity of your choice.