August 27, 1951 - January 31, 2019
Bob faced many challenges over his lifetime. Suffering from mental illness, multiple addictions, homelessness and fighting cancer, numerous times. Despite all this, he was a friendly and likeable guy. Articulate and funny, he had an amazing memory, a positive outlook and a generous spirit; he was polite and appreciative.
Bob is predeceased by his parents, Pinky (Robert) and Marge, he leaves behind his sons, Carl (Carolyn) Whitehorse, Johnny (Heather Sheridan) Tofino, his daughter and grandson Sue & Mason Bateman, Maple Ridge, brother Dave (Terry) Ucluelet, sisters Holly (Bob Johnson) Port Alberni, & Nora (Brian Lunn) Parksville, his boys' mother, Mary Rimmington (Kevin Midgley) Tofino; plus nieces, nephews, cousins, an uncle and numerous friends, co- workers and professionals who will remember him fondly.
The family would like to thank Pacifica Housing and the amazing management and staff at Uplands Walk. Bob was the fourth resident to move into the newly completed Uplands Walk Supportive Housing Units and it turned his life around. He found a job and held it for over 3 years until his latest battle with cancer forced him to quit. Thank you to Robert, who took a chance and hired Bob, he loved working again and it restored his self-worth and dignity. Thanks also to The Salvation Army, the 7-10 Club, the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank, the Severe Weather Shelter, the Clearview Detox Centre, the John Howard Recovery Program, Wheels for Wellness and Angel Flights BC; we're sure there's many more we've missed and thank you all. Thanks also to the various government agencies that helped him out, the social workers, addiction councillors, physiologists and doctors who worked with him, sorry we don't know all your names. Thanks to his GP Dr. Clive Balfour whom Bob respected and trusted; to Cody the pharmacist at Central Drugs who always treated Bob with respect and compassion. To the Home Care Team, and to the doctors and nurses at Nanaimo Regional Hospital who saw Bob thru his last few days. A special thanks to the Palliative Care Unit, Dr. Brian Calvin and the nurses and volunteers who made Bob and the family that visited so comfortable during his final days. May he rest in peace.
Despite fighting a lot of demons throughout his life, Bob managed to end on a high note. He lived a full, if somewhat troubled life, made and kept a lot of friends along the way, maintained his sense of humour and his positive attitude, shared what he had, even when he had next to nothing, mostly he loved his children, and his family, and although he made it difficult at times, they loved him back.
No service at his request; a Celebration of Life will take place April 20th at his sister's house in Parksville.
Memorial donations may be made to Pacifica Housing or the Salvation Army.