Just thinking of Andre we had big plans of going to India and Bangladesh In 2023 when it be our turn to travel again with Foodgrains Bank we travel to Ethiopia as a team leaders

Our deepest condolences to the Visscher family and his co-workers at Anglican Diocese of Calgary.

I have first contact with Andre in 26 Sep 2020 via email

Being a Syrian citizen had lost all faith of having a peaceful of land to live, Andre gave me hope to include my family in the waiting list to resettle in Canada.

I was actually counting the days to touch the land of Canada and thanks Andre in person for all what he has done for me and on behalf of the rest of seeking for land to live.

Andre gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.

Our deepest condolences to the Visscher family. We remember Andre as a very helpful and acknowledged advisor. While he has visited us back in The Netherlands and here in Alberta as well, we’ve had many helpful chats together. Rest In Peace Andre!!

My condolence to Louise and the children and grand children of Andre, it is so sad that you have miss Andre already now.

I worked a lot with Andre in the time that he was assisting farmers to Western Canada. He helped so many farmers on a new future and they are really thankfull for that. He advised his clients very professional. We did always have a great but busy time when Andre was in the Netherlands for seminars and visits. I learned a lot from Andre.

Gwenda van Veldhuizen-Helmig

Our condolences of the whole team of Interfarms emigratie service.

Dear Louise, Jared, Marlies and Kristen,

I had the pleasure of working with Andre over the past several years at Canadian Foodgrains Bank. I traveled across Alberta with him on several occasions over the years. He had a wonderful ability to share about the needs of the world in a way that inspired and encouraged people. I will always remember the joy he brought to his work, his compassion for people in need, and his gentle spirit.

Dear Louise, we will never forget Andre and all he stood for. It was with the loving partnership the two of you had, and your ongoing love and support for Andre, that his life was a living service for God.

Hugs Joanne xo

Dear Jared & Lise and family, Marlies & Adrien and family, Kristen and Bailey...it seems like only yesterday that I met your parents as youth leaders at our Harriston church. They both had a quiet, reassuring, supportive presence. Without them, I would never have pursued my involvement with children and adults with disabilities. Your parents took me in at a time of loss and grieving for your little brother. Later again I would see them in Calgary...it was never an inconvenient time. So dedicated to supporting others, they travelled with 2 little ones to our wedding. Only at this stage in life can I begin to understand your dad and your mom’s teamwork and support to you as children, to us and to others. In deepest sympathy, till you meet again xo

-Joanne and Marcel Proulx and family

The Family Kodde condolence the Family Visscher.

Adre did a lot for us to emigrate to Alberta Canada he was very patience it did take several years

to make the decision so we will still thank what he did for us.

Jaap Corrie and Peter Kodde

P.O. Box 894

Coaldale

AB T1M1M7

Michael Haile, SAH Representative- Eritrean Community Association of Edmonton

"We are sorry to learn about the loss of Andre Visscher. Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult times".

Dear Louise and the entire Visscher family, on behalf of the Board of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank we offer both prayers and our condolences for Andre's passing. Andre left a positive footprint during his time of service as a regional staff member of CFGB. His passion for Christian service, his outlook on life and his faith journey provided rich conversations in my interactions with Andre over the years. His spirit will live on with each of you and we are grateful that he shared his passion for service and journey with God with us. He is missed but we know that he is with our Creator who will continue to shine upon each one of you.

I worked with Andre in refugee resettlement. I appreciated his gentle spirit and caring nature. I pray for comfort in this time you, his family and close friends.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Andre was always such a kind person and a pleasure to work with. Take care

Naomi Johnson (CFGB staff)

I knew Andre in his role as a Refugee Coordinator for the Diocese of Calgary, and had the pleasure of his company at several national conferences. Andre was a kind and welcoming colleague, and deeply committed to this volunteer ministry. He has helped many people start a new life in Canada, was a wonderful example of being 'the hands and feet of Christ'.

With respect and affection,

Rev. Dr. Jan Bigland-Pritchard, Saskatoon SK

Deepest sympathy to you, Louise, and to the Visser family. Andre’s passing is a big shock to us, his colleagues at the Foodgrains Bank, and you will feel that many times more. Andre’s love of people and his compassion for others in need was very evident in the way he interacted with many groups of people. We will miss his wisdom and good humour. May God’s peace and the love of friends and family be with you in the weeks and months ahead. Gordon Janzen, Foodgrains Bank.

On behalf of the Vauxhall & District Growing Project for the Canadian Food Grains Bank, we were saddened to hear of Andre's sudden passing. We will all miss him and his strong commitment and passion to help end hunger in the world, through the CFGB. We wish to extend our sincerest condolences to his family and send our thoughts and prayers.

Dear Louise and family,

A few years ago we spoke to André when he was in Holland visiting his mother (our aunt Lies).

It was a pleasant conversation and André impressed us with the calm and interesting way in which he talked about his work and the many journeys he had made.

We wish you much strength to bear this loss.

Douwe and Anneke van der Helm, Oldemarkt, Netherlands

Our sincerest condolences to you, Louise, and your family. Our lives touched only very briefly on that wonderful sea journey from Singapore to Italy, but we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Andre and you over meals and on expeditions. We remember that delightful tour in Langkawi, Andre and Avtar getting a haircut in Mangalore while you and Connie waited rather impatiently, and Andre and Avtar dickering with drivers in Salalah for the best price---and we know how that turned out! We had actually planned a visit this past fall until COVID reared its ugly head again. Our thoughts are with you in this difficult time. Connie and Avtar

So sorry to hear of Andre's passing, Keeping everyone in my prayers, The Rev. Marian Lucas-Jefferies (former member of the CFGB board of directors)

Dear Louise, Jared, Marliese, Kristen and family,

I met Andre through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and I feel so blessed and fortunate to have crossed paths with him. He was kind and welcoming, his smile and laugh I will remember fondly. He took me under his wing and provided a great deal of support for me as I undertook a growing project. While I only knew him for a few short years, his wisdom, warmth and presence I will cherish.

I am so sorry for your loss, and my family and I have been praying for you all during this challenging time. I have no doubt in my mind that he is enjoying his heavenly inheritance, and I hope you all find peace in the memories you shared with him.

Dear family,

We heard of Andre's sudden death. This was a great shock to us, what an indescribable blow it must have been for you. Difficult to understand!

We offer you our condolences for this enormous loss and wish you all the strength in these sad days and also for the future.

And may God bless you all!

Strength and best regards,

Your nephew and niece and children from Hardenberg (The Netherlands)

Froukje & René Schuldink

Dear Jared, Lise and all of your family.

My deepest condolences on the very sad news of your father’s sudden passing. May you all be wrapped and sustained in the comfort and support of family, friends and the memories of a life well lived and shared with so many.

Sincerely,

Lanovaz and Bazylak

Auntie Claire, Ry, and uncles Guy and PJ

(Your Duck Lake family)

I got to meet Andre on a trip to Ethiopia with CFGB. I was truly naive about the world before that trip and it was very challenging for me to accept the way of life that was normal for those people. Andre was an instant friend and he was excellent at supporting myself and others in the group who were struggling to cope with experiencing how difficult life is in Ethiopia. He also made me feel very welcome as a fledgling believer in Christ. Myself and my girlfriend now my wife- we started calling Andre - Opa because he was immediately a grandfather like person and I needed emotional stability in the people around me at that time. It was a life changing experience and I feel incredibly blessed to have met Andre and I am glad he was there for me.

Louise, Jared Marlies and Kristen, I am heartbroken for you and yours. I have fond memories of Andre and the family events we shared. Please know I am here to help and support in whatever way you need because I know grief is hard work. May God wrap his loving arms around you and support you until you are able once again. My condolences to you all.

Claudette Nicolas

I remember when me and opa went to the place where there were combines, and I feel sad.

Andre's loss leaves a deep sense of grief and sadness for all of us at the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, a loss that I know is felt even more profoundly by his family and friends. His sense of purpose and the passion he showed during a lifetime of standing with the poor and those in need, as well as the deep love for God that shone through him, will continue to inspire us all in the months and years to come.

I am so sorry to hear of Andre's passing. I met him through Canadian Foodgrains Bank events, and admired his passion to help end hunger in the world. I know you will miss him dearly, and extend my sincere condolences.

The deep sadness and sense of enormous loss that I felt when learning of Andre's death is I know multiplied many times over for his family and close friends. We wish to extend our deepest condolences and pray that God's presence and comfort will be with you during this time of terrible loss. But know this, his contribution to the work of ending hunger was significant. Andre was loved and respected by all who worked with him at Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and by the many Foodgrains Bank volunteers he worked with and supported over the years. I spent many hours on the road traveling with Andre over the years and got to understand his heart and his sense of mission and call to service. A humble, compassionate, and thoughtful servant of our Lord. He will be deeply missed. Jim Cornelius

We're going to miss Andre a lot at the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. He never turned down a chance to tackle the big problems of the world with thoughtfulness, dedication and humour.

I find it hard to express my profound sorrow at the knowledge that we will no longer have Andre's presence on our team here at Canadian Foodgrains Bank. We will miss the twinkle in his eye, his wry smile, resistance to paperwork and calm voice of wisdom. Above all else we will miss his enthusiasm for the work of inviting and supporting people in Alberta to stay involved in ending hunger. He became more than the representative of the Foodgrains Bank to growing project leaders, volunteers and supporters. He became an ally and friend who they could depend on to problem solve and celebrate their efforts to make a contribution to a better world. As we grieve, I think of how much more of a loss Andre's passing is to Louise, Jared, Marliese, Kristen and his grandchildren and all of us on the team at the Foodgrains Bank commit to hold you close in prayer and support. I am sure we will all discover more of Andre's impact on the world as his life is commemorated and equally sure that we will not know the full impact of his life on his family, community and the world this side of heaven. Rest in Peace Andre.

Musu Taylor-Lewis

I met Andre through the PWRDF refugee conferences and SAH conferences. He radiated kindness and a pure dedication to refugees. My condolences to his family and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Over more than ten years of working with Andre, I experienced the good will, positivity, and care that he brought to the many areas of good work in which he was involved. My love to his wife and family, and to his Calgary community, and all those with whom he worked. Andre, you will be dearly missed.

I wish to extend my sincere condolence to Andre's family. I met Andre several years ago at one of our PWRDF Reugee Network meetings and the SAH annual Conference. I found him to be a very likeable person, with a great deal of empathy for refugees and refugee sponsorship work. May God bless and keep him.

Ralph Paragg

Refugee Coordinator Volunteer

Diocese of Qu'Appelle (Regina)

So sorry to hear the passing of Andre. Always had good and uplifting conversations with Andre and truly appreciated his ecumenical spirit, care for refugees, care for the important life-changing work of CFGB and members such as PWRDF. God's strength and peace to Andre's family and my deepest condolences. Will Postma, PWRDF

On behalf of the Refugee Network of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) of the Anglican Church of Canada, I write to express our collective sadness and grief at the sudden death of our dear friend, colleague and mentor, Andre. He and his big and generous heart will be sorely missed in the refugee sponsorship community as well the the many other communities of care he was engaged with. Our deepest condolences to Andre's family. May flights of angels sing him to his rest.

I'm incredible sad to hear of Andre's passing. Having worked within the refugee sponsorship community with Andre over the years his tireless efforts to help those who need it most truly showed the depth of his compassion and commitment to others. I will really miss Andre and my deepest condolences to his family and friends at such a difficult time.

~Alex Hauschildt

So grateful that he helped Aras with the application to sponsor his family. He was patient and caring through the whole complicated process. Such a fine man and such a loss. Our condolences to Andre's family

I'm am sitting here stunned and heartbroken at this news. My deepest sympathies to his family. I have worked with Andre for five years on refugee work and admired and respected him greatly. His knowledge, his commitment....so incredible. May he rest in peace and rise in glory and may God comfort and strengthen all who mourn.

To the Visscher Family,

We are so surprised by this, I have thought several times I should call Andre and have a visit but never did. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. The CFGB will be different for us in the Medicine Hat area without Andre. May God Bless each one of his family members during this time. Charlie & Priscilla Redpath

Our deepest sympathy to Louise and the whole family. No words can take away the pain, the shock, the grief. All we can offer is our prayers for comfort and understanding. Andre was an amazing man and just the kindest soul. Just the best neighbor anyone could hope for. Our thoughts and our prayers are with you. Diane and Russell Phillips