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Andy DeJong, 47 CARDINAL -- Andrew Henry "Andy" DeJong, 47, died January14 after a courageous battle with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig disease). He was born July 1, 1957 in Brockville to Siebold DeJong and the former Jantje deBoer, and was raised in the Algonquin area on the family farm. He attended elementary school in Algonquin and Maynard, and then South Grenville District High School. On June 28, 1980 he married Barb Melbourne at St. John's United Church in Cardinal, and lived in the Mainsville area before settling in Pittston 20 years ago. He was employed at Casco Company, in Cardinal, where he worked for the past 25 years. He began as a general labourer and eventually apprenticed as an industrial mechanical millwright. He worked up until May 2004, when his illness prevented him from doing so. An avid sportsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and a variety of sports. He was a member of the CMP hockey club for several years. He enjoyed both playing and coaching baseball. He was a big fan of dirt track racing and spent many nights at the local tracks. His favourite race of the year was G.T. Automotive night at Brockville. He enjoyed spending time on the Liezerts' farm and could usually be found there any given Saturday. He took pride in his lawn and garden and spent many hours tending to both. Mr. DeJong is survived by his wife Barb and their daughter Kristine. Also surviving are his father Siebold DeJong of Maple View Lodge in Athens, two brothers, Bill DeJong of Brockville and Frank DeJong and his wife Elsie DeJong of Algonquin, and his sister Bea and her husband Don Wallace of Brockville, as well as many brothers- and sisters-in-law, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and his father-in-law. He was predeceased by his mother Jantje DeJong, his mother-in-law Leni Melbourne and his sister-in-law Linda DeJong. Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Cardinal, where on January 18 the funeral was held, with Rev. Patricia Swann of Pittston United Church officiating. Burial was at the Mainsville Cemetery. The pallbearers were Steve Liezert, Garry Tracey, Garnet Tracey, Carl Christie, Kevin Patrick and Chuck Melbourne. Honorary pallbearers were Brooke Melbourne and Chad Melbourne. Memorial donations to the Hospice of Providence Palliative Care, St. Vincent de Paul site, were gratefully acknowledged by the family. Published in Section b, page 7 in the Thursday, January 27, 2005 edition of the Brockville Recorder & Times. Posted 2:44:51 PM Friday, January 28, 2005.