1924 - 2016
Bob passed away on Sunday, 13th of March, at Cumberland Lodge.
Bob was born on November 27, 1924 in Central Butte, Saskatchewan, and was raised in Briarlea and Prince Albert Saskatchewan.
He enlisted in the RCAF in 1942 when he was 17. He was stationed in York, England and served as a mechanic on the Lancaster Bombers.
He followed his parents to the Comox Valley in 1945, and worked at Shaw Motors as a mechanic.
He married Ann Bowling in 1954 and lived on the Back Road in Courtenay. They were owner/operators of the Home Store on Cumberland Road from 1960 to 1975.
Bob believed in service to the community. He served on the Hospital Board which worked to ensure Cumberland Lodge became a reality. He is a life time member of the Masonic Lodge and the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce. He had also been an Alderman for the Village of Cumberland. He is a past president of Courtenay Legion, and a proud member of Cumberland Legion. He had been a member of the Courtenay Fire Department, and volunteered with the Fire Safety House on school visits. He served on the Cumberland May Day Committee, and was always willing to lend a hand for all things Cumberland.
Bob enjoyed many hunting trips with his friends, travelling to Saskatchewan to visit his cousins, and travelling with Ann once they retired. He was a devoted husband to Ann, visiting her every day for the ten years she lived in Cumberland Lodge.
Bob lived in Cumberland for 55 years, spent a year in Casa Loma, and then moved into Cumberland Lodge in November, 2015. He was very happy to be back in Cumberland surrounded by familiar faces.
The family is so very thankful to the staff at Cumberland Lodge for giving Bob the same kind, loving care that they gave Ann for so many years.
Bob leaves his children, Chris and Jane Nikolaisen, Janet and Tony Woods, and his grandchildren Caitlin Nikolaisen, Christy and Brendan Woods, Kyle, Jeremy, and Josh Inglis. Bob is also survived by his sister, Doris Samson, sister-in-law Jean Nikolaisen, and many nieces and nephews.
Flowers gratefully declined in consideration of donations in Bob’s name to Cumberland Lodge, P O Box 400 Cumberland BC V0R 1S0. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.