The phone rang this morning, I turned over and saw the name "Scott Cressman" on the display. I did not answer. I didn't want to.

I called back a few minutes later knowing it was the call that I dreaded since Andy Nutts went over to Afghanistan in October.

Our beloved friend Andy has been killed in action.

It is hard to believe and to take in right now. We don't have a lot of information, but what we understand is that he stepped on an IED

My condolences to his family. He was one of the best men I ever met and left a lasting impression on all of us.

This post is a memorial for all of you from the Crossfit world who knew and loved Andy

This is a heavy loss.

Rest in Peace brother.

Patty

---

1. this is horribly tragic.
   i worked out a bunch with nuts at the old box on east 2nd and even teamed up with him at the first madlab.
   all around nice guy and great competitor.
   i have many memories of nuts flying away from me anytime there was a running component in the workout.
   Posted by pipkey   on  12/23   at  12:58 PM
2. I too worked out with Andy a bunch of times at the old box. He was a super guy, you couldn't help but not like him.
   
   God bless you and your family. Rest in peace.
   Posted by Jayboy   on  12/23   at  01:09 PM
3. Andy Nutts - You will be missed. I remember all our conversations about being in the military and what going to AF would be like. I remember how proud you were when you first enrolled.
   Our hearts and thoughts are with your family now. Rest well brother!
   Nick
   The Rhino
   Posted by The Rhino   on  12/23   at  01:42 PM
4. Andy paid the ultimate price to better the lives of others through freedom of Taliban rule so little girls could go to school, women could live and walk about freely, and families could live in love and peace.
   
   He was one of the kindest men I ever met and left a lasting impression.
   
   We all lost a Big Man today.
   Posted by Big Al   on  12/23   at  01:44 PM
5. Andy Nutts was was one of the best guys to workout around...he inspired everyone who was around him with his good natured humour and kindness. All heart too - I won't ever forget that last run he tried to complete in madlab - epic.
   Thank you for doing for us what many of us would never attempt. RIP, Friend.
   Posted by Girlyman   on  12/23   at  02:18 PM
6. It was sad day when Andy left our small crossfit 2.0 gym to serve our country, and an even sadder one today. I hope to see a hero workout soon to remind his friends of the role he played in our little community, and show his family we appreciate his sacrifice. Doc
   Posted by Doc   on  12/23   at  02:20 PM
7. I only met Andrew once and found him to be a really awesome guy. This is very sad news.
   Posted by Butler   on  12/23   at  02:38 PM
8. Andy Nutts was a fellow coach at Crossfit Vancouver in 2006/07 - just before Sheppy and Andy Sack came aboard. What a guy - always smiling and such a jovial man. This guy made huge gains so fast - he gave everything in every workout and earned a hernia for his efforts. We made each other laugh so much as we honed our craft in the early days. I remember nothing but great stories and that epic workout where he never came around the corner after going out in the lead at our first MADLab.
   
   I'll miss you. I was honored to be your friend.
   
   TBear
   Posted by Tbear   on  12/23   at  03:07 PM
9. What a terrible loss. I worked out with Andy at the old gym on 2nd street. He always finished long before I did and he always waited for me to finish, providing lots of encouragement as I struggled through the workout. Andy was one of the guys who helped to set the tone for the box. It was an honour to know him.
   Posted by Carl Stewart   on  12/23   at  03:31 PM
10. Always thought Andy was a born leader. I was not surprised when he told me he wanted to lead men in battle. Bet he was one hell of a LT.
    
    Had a chance to down a few pints and bullshit with him before he left back in the fall. I will forever be thankful for that time.
    
    Thank you for defending freedom Andy.
    Posted by Shep   on  12/23   at  03:32 PM
11. heartbreaking.
    Posted by inferno   on  12/23   at  03:56 PM
12. I went through training with Andy. He often spoke of working out with you guys.
    
    Rest in peace brother
    Posted by Unknown   on  12/23   at  04:01 PM
13. What a tragic loss.
    
    I count myself lucky to have met Andy and had the chance to workout with him at the old box on 2nd. Andy had such a great attitude, tackled every work out and pushed everyone to be better.
    
    You will be missed
    Posted by Matt   on  12/23   at  04:05 PM
14. I'm sad to hear of the tragic loss, and shocked. I'll always remember Andy as a free spirit. He accomplished a lot in his life, and always lived strong.
    
    He will be missed,
    
    
    AJ PRASAD (BROWN BOMBER)
    Posted by AJ PRASAD aka BROWN BOMBER   on  12/23   at  04:24 PM
15. Andy was one of my first clients
    
    and he was special.
    
    He was working as a house painter (He had a degree in Computer science I think and had been a wiz in the tech world but didn't want to do it anymore) for $12 an hour and sleeping on Scooter's couch. He would pay me $65 per hour to teach him Crossfit. He had such a crooked back that we mostly just deadlifted to straighten it out.
    
    He became a stud athlete and coach for us. He biked to work all year round, rain or shine and worked tirelessly at any odd job that need fixing around the gym without me ever having to ask him to do so.
    
    He set a high standard.
    
    He NEVER complained and could be one of the most charismatic guys you could imagine. That is a rare combination.
    
    When he came to me a few years back and told me he was going to join the military. I was shocked.
    
    Here he was with the opportunity to make $7,000 a month, work less than 35hrs per week, be surrounded by pretty girls and highly motivated people....it didn't make sense.
    
    
    I sat him down, drunk and grilled him for hours on numerous occasions to try to understand it.
    
    He always said "Patty, this is just too easy"
    
    Now you have to understand that I had just faced bankruptcy for the past 2 years and was chasing my dream, so this confused me even more.
    
    
    Then the last time I saw him in October we sat down over a few pints in my apartment and he told me.
    
    
    "Patty, the infantry is my home and until I lead men into combat and see what I am made of I won't truly know who I am as a man."
    
    I am certain that he was leading his men when he died, and he probably had to go into the danger first. He wouldn't have let anyone else.
    
    That is who he was. He thought of others before himself.
    
    Andy ...... I now understand what you were trying to tell me.
    
    I only hope I can live my life as well as you have yours.
    
    
    Thank You brother. You are a beacon of light.
    Posted by Pink Pig   on  12/23   at  04:33 PM
16. I was sad to say good bye to Andy after seeing him at the Madlab in October. Having him around that day made me realize how much I miss him. Such a kind person with amazing energy. I have always had a soft spot for him. This is huge and horrible loss.
    Posted by Dober   on  12/23   at  06:19 PM
17. This is a tragic loss for everyone who met and befriended Andy. He was such a great guy, full of energy with a smile on his face. It is difficult to believe that he is gone. He will be sorely missed by all.
    Posted by kermit   on  12/23   at  06:39 PM
18. OMG ...Im lost for words ..How could such a happy go lucky full of life guy be gone ???
    
    I laugh every time I see that picture of me, Andy and Kermit on the Crossfit " Wall of Fame " taken at his going away party ........ Andy made a great looking girl that night
    
    So sorry
    
    x x x
    Posted by Zola   on  12/23   at  07:08 PM
19. "This is a heavy loss" RIP my honored friend Andy, you will be missed!
    
    F%@k...
    
    My deepest condolences to the family and friends.
    Posted by Charlie   on  12/23   at  08:31 PM
20. So very sorry to read this today. Didn't know him well, but he left an impression. My heart is with his friends and family.
    Posted by Pete Schwagly   on  12/23   at  11:06 PM
21. Noooo!
    
    RIP Nutts.
    
    Thank you.
    
    :-(
    Posted by Snowball   on  12/23   at  11:29 PM
22. I have trouble remembering Andy without a big smile on his face. He was an exceptional person and will be greatly missed. I am proud to have know him.
    Posted by Hallie   on  12/23   at  11:37 PM
23. Awful news. I'm so sorry.
    
    Teri
    Posted by Teri   on  12/24   at  11:56 AM
24. Andy is not a hero because of the way he died; he is a hero because of how he lived his life.
    
    He was loved and respected by all who knew him, from his family and friends to his troops. He touched many lives and brought smiles to the faces of all who had the privilege to meet him.
    
    Andy lived his life with integrity. He didn't just "talk the talk," but truly "walked the walk." He was a strong and courageous leader who died fighting for a cause that he strongly believed in.
    
    As we mourn the loss of such a wonderful human being, we can take comfort knowing that in 30 short years, Andy truly made more of a positive impact than many of us make in our entire lives.
    
    Thank you, Andy, for your sacrifice. You will be greatly missed.
    Posted by Carli   on  12/24   at  01:26 PM
25. A sad day sending Nutts home. I enjoyed the year we served to together and will remember the last time I saw him in a little field in Afghanistan, grinning like he always did.
    
    When he joined the battalion, I was happy to meet another member of an XFit community. Nutts was passionate about fitness and training his troops. I hope to see a hero workout for him.
    
    He will be remembered and we continue our work here.
    
    VP
    Posted by VP   on  12/24   at  03:01 PM
26. His nickname at Crossfit was "Nutts" for a reason, this guy had big balls. Rest in peace brother and thank you for being such an incrediable person, love ya man. My thoughts go out to Andy's family and friends.
    Posted by P U P   on  12/24   at  03:54 PM
27. Andy was my coach when I first started. He was the kinda guy you instantly liked, we got along great. I remember our conversations about him leaving to join up and eventually go to AF. He really wanted to make a difference, I recall Patty trying to convince himto stay by telling him what a difference he could make by staying in our crossfit community. Andy wouldn't be convinced though and off he went. Now our worst fears have come true but I believe that this was what he was meant to do and if he had not tried then he would have been left feeling like he never achieved what he could.
    How many of us have truly made those bold leaps of faith to pursue our dreams? Good for you Andy, I will miss you, and yes you made a difference my friend.
    
    Bomb Squad
    Posted by Brent ELwood   on  12/25   at  10:12 AM
28. I can't believe Andy is gone..
    
    I remember when he told me he was joining the army I didn't understand why...but he seemed so at peace with his decision...it was like he knew it was his purpose to make a difference in this world...
    
    His death should be a lesson to us that life is too damn short! We should all live each day to it's fullest.....
    
    Andy you will be missed..
    
    Dani
    Posted by Dani   on  12/26   at  04:10 PM
29. So sorry to hear of your community loss. He and his family are in our prayers.
    Posted by Fidds   on  12/27   at  12:15 PM
30. A GREAT Canadian! These young men and women who lay down their lives to support the UN, help the people of Afghanistan, and represent Canada are truly heroes. My heart is with the family as they make that long drive down the Highway of Heroes, know that if I could, I would be standing on one of those overpasses bidding Andy farewell. Stand proud with tears in your eyes, a a hole in your gut. Stand pruod knowing that Andy gave the ultimate sacrifice for what he believed. He will be missed, never forgotten.
    
    Proud Father-in-law of Cpl Jordan Anderson-July 2007 Afghanistan
    Posted by Tim   on  12/29   at  03:17 PM

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.