Robert Vincent McDonald

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) McDonald on November 2, 2024, at the age of 87 years. Soft spoken and reserved, Dad wouldn’t have wanted anyone to make a fuss, but his warmth and wry humour touched everyone he encountered, and the impact of his loss will be felt by all who knew him.

Born in Peterborough, Bob lived most of his life in Cambridge (Hespeler & Galt). In his early life he developed a passion for aviation that never really diminished. He served for a brief period in the Royal Canadian Air Force before eventually taking on a sales role with Bernat Yarns that brought extensive travel across Ontario and beyond.

He was a man of infinite curiosity who never stopped learning. An avid reader, he was never without four or five books in progress: ranging from the classics to mysteries to instructional manuals on everything from photography to ‘useful knots everyone should know’. It was perhaps this innate curiosity that led him to ask, ‘Can a person build a sailboat in a living room?’ … only to find that a person can, in fact, build a sailboat in a living room… but may need to remove the front window of their home in order to extract said sailboat.

His interest in music and cooking developed later in life; endlessly scouring cookbooks and the New York Times Food & Wine pages for new recipe ideas and interesting ingredients to try. He took up the fiddle in retirement and later progressed to mandolin and guitar, enjoying the camaraderie, if not virtuosity, that came with his love of music.

Bob was a passionate environmentalist who cared deeply about the world around him. He maintained an interest in current events and enjoyed vigorous debate about the causes that mattered to him.

His greatest passion, however, was family. Infinitely proud of his six grandchildren, he was in the audience for dozens of recitals and performances and a regular on the sidelines of every soccer and football match he could get to, no matter the weather.

A man of character, conscience, and gentle strength whose kindnesses were many, he will be deeply missed by family and friends. It is perhaps the best measure of a man when we can say that our lives our richer for having known him.

Bob will be lovingly remembered by his children; Robert, Margot, and Grant (Lisa); and grandchildren Patrick (Brittny), Cameron (Ness), Griffin, Owen, April, and Tadd.

He was predeceased by his parents (Vincent and Marjorie) and his wife of 49 years Carolyn (nee Charlton).

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, November 12th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and 6:00 - 8:00 pm at T. Little Funeral Home, 223 Main Street Cambridge.