SOLTIS, Andrew
May 31, 1927 - December 27, 2014
On December 27, 2014, our beloved Andy passed away at the age of 87. He is sadly missed by Theresa, his wife of 62 years; children Allen (Kathleen), Robert (Carla), and grandchildren Katherine (Adam), Andrew, and Marie. Andy is survived by sisters Ann and Mary and brother-in-law Des (Irene) and numerous nieces and nephews. Andy was predeceased by his father Andy and mother Annie. Andy was born in Czechoslovakia and moved to Canada in 1933 with his mother and sister Ann to join his father in Princeton, BC. From Princeton, the family moved to Hope where Andy graduated from Hope Secondary School in 1945. Although Andy had qualified to attend university, he began work right after high school as a shovel and drag line operator. Andy met and married the love of his life, Theresa, in 1952. Shortly afterward, he bought his first CATERPILLAR D4 from Earl B. Finning and began Soltis Logging. In 1949, Andy bought a farm at Flood, BC, and in 1956, he bought property at Lytton, BC, and began to raise beef cattle. Andy and his logging company worked in the Lytton, Lillooet, and Boston Bar area and, before he sold out, the company employed 125 people.
While semi-retired, Andy set up Soltis Holdings in 1975, and began to build houses. In 1983, he applied for and was awarded Woodlot 360 and, in 1993, Soltis Holdings was awarded the Woodlot Association's Stewardship Award. Andy loved Lytton and the woodlot and continued to manage and log it until his passing. When not working, Andy and Theresa had many happy travel adventures throughout Canada and the world. Andy taught his family how to work hard, how to treat people with compassion through actions as well as words, how to be humble, and how to love life. Andy's tremendous love of Theresa, his children and grandchildren, will always be remembered and treasured. Andy's life will be celebrated at a memorial which will be held at 2:00 pm on January 24, 2015 at Christ Church, 618 Fraser Ave. Hope, BC.