18/09/2026
I’m sure most people are already aware, but it’s with great sadness that I announce that Andrew Hoath passed away on the 24th August 2026 at the age of 68 years old.
Andrew had an incredibly difficult life within the care system, and has been through more than any other person I’ve ever met, and yet he had the strength to endure all of it, and he lived life on his terms.
On that note, despite Andrew having quite a limited vocabulary, he was definitely able to make sure people knew the things he liked (and the things he didn’t like). For many years I would say his most favourite things were cups of tea, bread and jam, animals, and occasional trips to Devil’s Point when he was with people that he trusted the most. Maybe the biggest love of Andrew’s life though, was his bed, normally sitting with a blanket over his head, and calling out ‘mate’ to get people’s attention if he wanted it.
I’m going to use this opportunity to thank everyone past and present for the consistent and caring support provided to Andrew. His life had been extremely turbulent and full of darkness, but in the final decade of his life, he found the peace and safety he’d been longing for, which is only possible with support from people like Victor, John, Faith, Michael and Samuel (and many others who I’m sure will comment on this post).
There is someone who needs a special mention, and that is Phil. Andrew called for Phil by name (rather than ‘mate’) and is in the attached picture with Andrew sat on a bench looking out over the sea. Phil worked with Andrew from almost the beginning of our involvement in 2014, and was a driving force within the team to improve Andrew’s quality of life. I know that if Andrew was asked who the most important people in his life were, he would have named Phil (Rick) without hesitation if able.
I said at the memorial that I’m really going to miss Andrew, particularly on my Christmas day visits, and generally I’m going to miss knowing he’s around. He was such an amazing, sweet and funny (and feisty) person, that I’m sure I’II be talking about him on and off for the rest of my life, and I’m sure others will be the same.
For anyone that would like to pay their respects, you can find Andrew’s plot at Drake Memorial Garden, in section Q (plot 264). When you arrive at the entrance to Drake Memorial there is a building where you can get a map to help find him.
Please feel free to share your memories of Andrew below in the comments.
