Robert Hamill

April 19, 1951 – December 24, 2020

It is with very heavy hearts we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Hamill, husband, father, grandfather, and brother. On December 24, 2020, Bob passed away peacefully at Abbotsford Regional Hospital with his wife by his side. He was born in Vancouver on April 19, 1951, the youngest of four children, to his parents Robert and Kathleen Hamill.

Bob is survived by his wife of 38 years, Elaine (Rutherglen), son Robert Kelly (Andrea),

granddaughter Kayla, grandson Robert Timothy, great granddaughter Ellie, sister Kathy, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Robert and Kathleen, sister Mary, brother Bill, and niece Sandy.

Bob grew up in South Burnaby and after finishing school there he worked as a taxi driver, drove bus for BC Hydro, was a tow truck driver for Mundies, and worked at various remodelling jobs.

Shortly after, Bob worked in Corrections starting at BC Penitentiary until it closed, then went on to Matsqui Institution, and Canada Post. He later re-trained and worked at Okahalla Prison. While there, he started to work on remodelling houses. Remodelling became his passion, so he retired from Okahalla in 1988. He and Elaine started buying and selling houses in the Vancouver area and lived in them while remodelling.

In 1990, they bought 10 acres outside Mission and built their dream log home. With great pride they did all of the finishing in the home plus five acres of landscaping. During this time, they continued buying and selling real estate in the Mission area. For the last thirteen years they worked on several properties in the Caribou, right up until his death. His amazing talent always brought the houses back to life. Every detail had to be just perfect. He would always say “the dumpier the better” as it was a challenge, but he always won. If you had to wipe your feet on the way out when first purchased--- that would be a “good one” he would say.

Bob and Elaine owned and operated Lormit Personal Services (Abbotsford) for 21 years. They also hosted over 50 weddings and other functions for over 10 years. The picturesque country setting was a perfect location, with an arched bridge over a large pond and beautiful mountains in the background. There were also a few commercials and movies filmed on the property.

Bob loved the outdoors and often went camping, fishing, ATVing, and hunting. He took great pride in gardening, especially his prize tomatoes. He was just starting to be a strawberry ‘specialist’ but the deer were one step ahead of him. He really enjoyed grass cutting and was very meticulous. He did such an exceptional job that the neighbours hired him to cut their five acres for years. Bob couldn’t sit still and was always looking for a project to keep them busy.

His family and friends will remember him for all his thoughtfulness, love and care. He put everyone else first. He will be dearly missed.

As he would say “Let’s have one for the road”!