Andre’ Cailliet
Andre’ Cailliet, 86, died of heart failure complicated by diabetes on June 8, 2006 at Careage of Whidbey, Coupeville. Andre’ was born in Chalon sur Saone, France on June 16, 1919 to Emile and Vera Brabazon Cailliet.
At age four, he and his family moved to Madagascar and seven years later, immigrated to the United States. Andre’ completed his high school education in the U.S. and then accompanied his father to France in 1939. When war broke out, Andre’ was drafted into the French army. During the German invasion of France, he was captured defending his country and spent four years in a German prisoner of war camp. American forces liberated Andre’ and his fellow prisoners in 1944 and after he was freed, Andre’ worked for the U.S. Army as a translator.
On completion of his service to the army, Andre’ returned to California, where, in 1951, he earned his Bachelor’ degree in Business Administration from Claremont College. Andre’ worked as a travel agent and as a purser before beginning a career in public service. He worked as a probation officer for the State of Maryland. He married Lois Walker in December 1959. The couple moved to California where he worked as a juvenile probation officer for San Mateo County. Andre’ and wife Lois had three children before their marriage ended in 1962.
Andre’ worked for a few years on the east coast as a juvenile probation officer before returning to California to be closer to his children and continue his career in public service. He worked for adoption programs for Butte, San Francisco, and Santa Clara counties.
Andre’ met Edna Davis in 1968 and married shortly after on March 9, 1968 in San Jose, Calif. They recently celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary. In 1986, Andre’ and Edna moved to Coupeville. In April 2006, they move to Oak Harbor.
Andre’ enjoyed investing, reading, traveling, conversing in French and most of all, talking to people. He was an active member of the Whidbey Presbyterian Church for many years. He enjoyed sharing his native France with his wife and three children.
Andre’ is survived by his wife Edna; three children, Alan Walker of Kent, Meg Kester and husband Greg of Shelton, Eric Walker and wife Kasey of Gig Harbor; two sisters, Doris Brunzie of Redwood City, Calif., and Suzanne Gardon of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; and by two grandchildren, Travis and Emily Kester of Shelton. He was preceded in death by his sister Helene.
Memorial services for Andre will be held at Whidbey Presbyterian Church on Saturday, June 24, at 3 p.m. with Rev. David Templin officiating. A reception at the church immediately follows the memorial service. An evening gathering to celebrate Andre’s life will occur at Sam Remo’s Restaurant starting at 5 p.m. Donations may be made to the Heifer Project International, PO Box 8058, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 or the Whidbey Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 1148 SE 8th Avenue, Oak Harbor, WA. A graveside service was held June 15 at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Oak Harbor under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
