May 14, 1950 - November 17, 2020
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Michael McKinnon at age 70 at North Island Hospital, Comox, BC after a year-long battle with Leukemia.
Left to honour and cherish Bob's memory is his beloved partner Shelley Grondahl, her daughters; Chelsea Reid (Brandon), Hailey McShane (Brian), and Becky Glaus (Luke) whom Bob helped raise and will always be known as "Dad".
Bob's loving daughter Susanne McKinnon (Clayton) and son Bradley McKinnon, seven grandchildren; Liam, Sean, Claire, Lochlann, Lily, Nolan and Freya, sisters; Donalene McKinnon and Laurie Beauchamp (Giles), brothers Bernard "Ben" McKinnon (Judy) and Neil McKinnon.
Bob will also be fondly remembered by nieces: Kristin Kraus, Stephanie Shipley, Andrea Stack, Christina Pylypchuk-Hall, Kaylia McKinnon, Lesia Pylypchuk, and Denee Beauchamp as well as his nephews: Cameron McKinnon, Daniel McKinnon, Joseph McKinnon, Ryan McKinnon, and Josh Beauchamp as well as many cousins and countless friends.
Bob was predeceased by his father and mother Harry and Marie McKinnon and his brother Brian McKinnon.
Bob was born and raised in Saskatoon attending St. Mary's and St. Edward Elementary Schools and St. Paul's and E.D. Feehan High Schools. He made numerous friends while at school, many who became life-long friends and they will remember Bob fondly with his great laugh and fun loving nature.
He loved sports; playing basketball, baseball and golf. Before leaving Saskatoon in the early eighties he worked in both real estate and carpet sales but ultimately headed out west settling for a time in Langley, BC.
Eventually he moved to Comox, BC to own and operate his own carpet and drapery business which he did for many years.
He was well known in the Comox Valley and it became his home and the place he loved with its beauty and outdoor life of fishing and camping.
Bob's daughter Susanne loved fishing and spending time fixing up his boat with her Dad. She fondly remembers her Dad singing and playing guitar for her and her brother Brad and how Brad also loved playing guitar just like him.
We will all remember Bob's great love of cooking, and how he often spent hours perfecting a complicated recipe. His love of fishing and camping took Bob, Shelley and Becky on countless amazing adventures over the years. Quiet coves on the ocean, secluded corners of a river, sleeping next to the rush of a waterfall, canoeing on a serene lake, and coaching Becky as she reeled in her first river salmon and then graduating to ocean fishing with him.
Bob loved the grandchildren that blessed his and Shelley's lives - and they loved him! He would often stop by with a special something from a garage sale for them, he spent time teaching them how to use a pellet gun safely and how to throw a fly fishing rod properly. He would listen to their stories fervently and his face lit up when ever they entered the room.
He was the most patient, selfless, kind, compassionate man we have ever loved. Bob lovingly cared for and supported his family and will always be known as "Crusher Boy", "Papa", "Dad", "Bobert", "my Buddy", and "Grandpa Bob". Bob will be missed dearly by all who knew him.
A huge thank you to Dr. Jennifer White, Hematologist at Vancouver General Hospital and her team for compassionately caring for Bob throughout his journey. Thank you also to all the nurses on the 15th floor and the BMT Day Care unit at Vancouver General and to the nurses and Palliative Care Team in the Comox Valley.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support the Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant Program, helping patients who come from out of town, at VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.
Donate online at: vghfoundation.ca/robertmckinnon, by calling 604-875-4676, or by mail to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.
Give blood in Bob's honor and hug your family tight!!