“In a world where there is so much talk about “being yourself”, I reserve to myself the right to forget about being myself, since in any case there is very little chance of my being anybody else.” Thomas Merton
Peacefully in the early morning of February 12, 2015 after a sudden stroke. Beloved husband of Jane. Brother of David, Gerald, Richard, Stephen and Barbara (MacEachern); Father of Gavin, Carol Anne, and Maureen. Grandfather of Riley, Sarah, Kathleen, and Martin. He was variously known as husband, Dad, Granddad, Uncle Bob, Papa Rob, Teacher, and Elder. He will be missed by many people.
After leaving Montreal, he spent his working life in Toronto as a teacher, a consultant, a College Instructor and working with refugees. It was while working as a teacher with the North York Board of Education, that he met and married Jane, his wife, and had his three children.
Teaching was not just a profession for Robert – it was his being. The greatest lessons he taught were born from his authenticity, his creativity and his great love of people. From him we learned about caring, hospitality and embracing suffering. The world was his classroom, from the Bruce Trail, to the alpine meadows in the shadow of Mount Assiniboine, to his final classroom, his beloved solarium.
In his varied career, he gathered an equally varied collection of friends, all of whom mourn his passing. He is loved and missed.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at McCall’s Downtown, Johnson and Vancouver Streets, on Monday February 16, 2015 from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 4040 Nelthorpe Street, on Tuesday February 17, 2015 at 2:00 PM. Cremation entrusted to Royal Oak Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Anawim House. http://www.anawimhouse.com/donations
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Rolf Harvey
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Merrill Stewart I was saddened to find Bob’s obituary this morning. My life has been enriched by having Bob as a teacher and a friend. Condolences to Jane, Gavin, Carol Anne and Maureen.
Merrill
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Neil McGivney Dear Carol and Maureen,
So very sorry for your loss – I have vivid, fond memories of your Dad, from the few times I met him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. We hope the happy memories bring comfort.
Take care,
Neil, Janette, Liam and Sean McGivney
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Jaye, Doug, and Michaela Pelton Dear Carole Anne, Morgan, Kathleen and Martin
We are very saddenened for your loss. Doug and I enjoyed many wide-ranging and interesting discussions with Bob at your home. I know Michaela always felt welcomed and enjoyed being teased by her friend’s Grandpa. You are in our hearts.
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David Fisher, Margie Grier, Jack and Molly Gavin (et al)
I have been diligently searching through the Toronto Obituaries to find out where your father’s Memorial was to be held. It was only when I discovered you had landed in Vancouver that I also found out your father would be memorialized on the West Coast rather than in Southern Ontario. I wish I could be with you to give you and Kari a big hug. Know that one is waiting for you when you arrive back in Toronto.
Carol Anne and Maureen, know that we are thinking about your loss of a father as well. You are all in our prayers.
God Bless
David Fisher
(Gavin’s University roommate and Best Man)
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John and Maire Percy Dear Jane and family,
Our hearts are with you all. Maire and John
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Gail Baxter Dear Carol Anne, Morgan, Kathleen and Martin,
What a blessing to your family to have had Granddad with you as the children were young. I know there will be a gapping hole in your hearts with his loss. My prayers and condolences. Gail Baxter
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Kevin Dear Aunt Jane, Gavin, Carol Anne, and Maureen
I am so sorry to hear of Uncle Bob’s passing and wish to extend my sincere condolences to all of you.
Uncle Bob was very special to me. I am thankful for all of the time I was able to spend with him.
I truly cherish all of the lessons he taught me and wisdom he imparted. I was extremely lucky to have him as a godfather and a friend.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all,
Kevin
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John Humphrey and Sandy Oliver We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this trying time.
John and Sandy
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Richard Maas Dear Carol Anne, Morgan and family,
It was a privilege to have known Bob. We enjoyed his company, his humour and the love he had for everyone in his life. He will be missed but always remembered. We decided today, over a glass of red wine, that he has taught us all to be a little more patient, a little more loving and to take a moment each day to appreciate what we have in life.
Richard & Cheri Maas and Alyson Doty
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Myles and Betty Bourke We are very sorry to hear of Robert’s passing.
He was a lovely man and we feel privileged to have known him .
You have all been Kelly’s family since her move to Victoria and we are most grateful.
Prayers and love to all.
Betty and Myles, Kelly and Katherine and Sister Benedicta (Robin)
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Mary Anne Dymond Dear Jane Gavin Carol Anne and Maureen
I am so sorry for your loss.
I have so many happy memories of our times at Roycrest.
–Wonderful dinners–perhaps with Bob’s Montmerency duck-
–Fireside chats–
–Cottage stays Bob talking us into an October dip–brrr
Good times long ago and still vivid.
You will all miss him!
Love
Mary Anne
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Carol Ann and Morgan I wanted to send a note to say how saddened we were to hear that Granddad had passed away last week. In the time that Morgan and I have worked together, I have such fond memories of hearing all numerous stories of Granddad and your family. I certainly could tell how much you all loved him. He will be missed I am sure. My sincere condolences to you all! Respectfully. . .Wendy
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Rhonda Maguire Dear Carol Anne, Morgan and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Robert’s sudden passing. Although I had only met him a few times, he made a lasting impression on me. I will always be grateful for his generosity of spirit and his wonderful sense of humour. May your memories of his wonder-filled life console you at this difficult time.
Much love
Rhonda
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Miles D. O'Reilly & Susan Bishop Watt We are stunned…Next Fall we were planning to come to Vancouver Island (to visit my daughter, Breffni, who lives in Campbell River) and hoped to see Bob again. As his cousin, we had been fairly close, even been roommates for several years at Lake Louise, where Sue and I first met. It is with great disappointment and loss that I have waited too long to renew our friendship.
How could I ever forget Bob, leaning over at 7:00 am, groping for a cigarette, and sighing deeply after the first puff of smoke for the day before rising!
May he rest in peace, let light perpetual shine upon him, and rise again in glory with Christ.
Miles and Sue
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Joanne Young Carol Ann and Morgan
I am very sorry to hear of Robert’s passing and wish to extend my sincere condolences. Robert and your family have been a source of great friendship and guidance for my sister Pat over the last 4 years.
Robert was a very loving person who was always willing to help anyone in what ever way he could. May your memories of his life console you through the days ahead.
Joanne
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Tyler Turpin An honest man here lies at rest,
The friend of man, the friend of truth,
The friend of age, and guide of youth,
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d
Few heads with knowledge so informed,
If there’s another world, he lives in bliss
If there is none, he made the best of this.– Robert Burns
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Richard and Vicki Bob will be sadly missed by his loving family and many good friends. We are so sorry for your sudden loss and send our love and prayers to Jane, Gavin, Carol Anne and Maureen that you will know God’s special consolation at this time.
God bless and we send you each a hug,
Richard and Vicki.
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fiona Zeng The first time I met Rob, I asked him how did he like people call him, he smiled and said any would be fine but not “Bobi”, somehow when he talked about it, he looked like Bobi to me…
Only had a few times to have dinner or watched Hockey games together, but he had a natural attraction for me wanted to be closer to him and chatted with him and shared my life. Last summer I was invited to go for dinner with the family. It was a beautiful typical summer Victoria evening. Rob and the other family all causally sit outside the door, at the time I was parking my car, I was feeling so homey and welcomed,
I miss his own humorious style with older generation generosity. I know I need to be good so I could see you again in the future. I really miss you Rob.
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Patricia Schandl Dear Carol-Ann and the Sargent Family
How I will miss Robert and am so thankful of his presence in my life over the past four years. He was a father figure that I never had. I will miss his sage advice, his remarks over my obvious lack of a green thumb. I remember fondly his warm hug in my carport the day that I put my dog to sleep, his appreciation for a good glass of red wine, his humour and our discussions about books but above all — I will sorely miss his humanity in a less than perfect world. I am so thankful that I shared one last conversation with him on Tuesday evening when he came over to give me a clipping from a Jade plant and advice to nurture it well and bring it to a fruitful life. Go gently my dear Robert. You will be treasured and remembered fondly by all of the friends you have touched and who have had the fortune to get to know you and enter into your life. With much love… Pat and Bruce.
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Gayle and Kevin Burr We send our deepest sympathy and prayers to all of you, take care, Gayle and Kevin
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Carol Halligan Carol Anne and Morgan,
I am so sorry for your loss. I met your father only once, when I was invited to your beautiful home with Pat and Bruce – your neighbours.
Your Dad’s vitality, sense of humour, and love for all of you were evident that night over dinner.
I am glad I got to meet this sweet man, and I know you will miss him terribly.
My condolences to you and your family.
Carol
Now that time has passed and grieving may be less
I am submitting this request to you who knew him near his end.
Jane and Bob were my stalwarts when I was a teenager. Had I not
had Bob as a high school English teacher I would never have had
a chance to attend University, write books and design films.
My request is for anyone who knows how I can contact Jane in order
for me to let her know how important a man her husband was and what
I have managed to do professionally.