Andy was the youngest child of Joseph and Sophia Shellian. He was born in Canmore and after finishing his Grade Twelve schooling, he went to work on the highway. In 1940, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Red Deer. After his discharge, he came back to the mines. In 1945, he received his underground blasting certificate and was foreman until 1965, then foreman of strip mines at Georgetown and Quarry Lake until 1970. He then worked for Loram on the rock cut in west Spray Lakes, TransCanada highway, hiking trails in Kananaskis Country, Steele Brothers Quarry and Banff Centre until he retired.
He played hockey in the Junior League, winning the Western Canada championship in 1936-37.
Andy was an avid fisherman and musician and had his own band, called the “Golden Tones,” for many years. Andy and Lena married in 1957 and had three children: Suzan Shellian-Frey, Edmonton; Perry in Calgary; and Barry, in Wabasca, working for the Forest Service.
After Andy retired, he spent his time building bird feeders and houses. Carol McTavish’s grade three class would come up every spring. Each student was given a feeder or birdhouse.
Andy Shellian
Andy Shellian’s Bird House Project 1987
In Canmore Seniors at the Summit, ed. Canmore Seniors Association, 2000, p. 261.
