Bob Antonyk (Butch)

Beloved husband for 44 years of Lesley Winters Antonyk, Bob passed away peacefully at the Lakeshore General Hospital with her holding his hand. Bob had fought an extremely difficult and courageous battle with cancer. The family wishes to thank the caring staff at the Lakeshore Hospital Oncology and Palliative ICU departments. Lesley wishes in particular to express her deep appreciation to Kerry-Ann Geraghty. Also a heart-felt thank-you goes to Dr. Oomman, Cheryl, and all the members of the Cardiogenix Team.

Much loved son of Michael and Maria Antonyk (both deceased), Bob was born in Montreal and lived here his entire life. He is deeply mourned by his sisters Luba (Allen, deceased), Oksana, Lisa (John), brothers Wally (Linda), Jerry, sister-in-law Anne (John, deceased) brothers-in-law Gary (Eleanor) and Drew (Valerie). He dearly loved his many nieces and nephews, Luba-Maria, Rebecca (deceased), Allen Jr. (Oksana), Don (Joanne), André (Jen), Darien (Pam), Andrea (Colin), Colin (Vilma), Grant (Laura), Jamie (Sophie) and Jordan (Marla). His joy was always in watching them growing up matched only by seeing their own children now doing the same, his great-nieces and nephews: Aylssa, Jayda, Loulou, James, Collins, Darcy, Greenleigh, Tessa, Blake, Desi, Owen and Simon, even as the Covid years made it difficult to see them as much as he would have wished.

A generous soul, Bob is very much missed by both families and many loving friends. Known to all as a talented artist, Bob’s studio and home were always filled with his paintings and stain glass work. He was never keen to show his work professionally until he was finally forced into a demonstration of his paintings at the Gora Gallery in Montreal for Lesley’s 60th birthday. The Covid shut-down was a time of great creativity for his stunning work. In addition to the art in his studio, Bob was also a prolific gardener and his talent for use of colour was always on display due to his enviable green thumb.

Bob owned and operated Ant-Pass Transport with his brother and partner, Wally, for over 30 years until the business was sold in 2013. After retirement, Bob’s favorite thing to do was rent a Villa for family vacations, and provided us with many happy holidays. Visiting islands in the Caribbean as well as Maui and Bermuda gave him as much pleasure in searching the Internet for the best places to stay as in actually being there.

Bob was the ever-entertainer, and loved to throw elaborate parties and BBQ’s for his many friends and family. Known for his quirky sense of humour and skill at cards, no one escaped his unbreakable hold on the choice of music for any get-together. Reggae was always the order of the day at pool parties until even the most devoted friend threatened to leave unless some other tunes (anything else!) were played. In actuality he enjoyed an eclectic admiration for music of all cultures, and he never missed the Jazz Festival in Montreal, Reggae Festival or the Nuits D’Afrique each summer.

Bob’s many friendships in his later years were made during his affiliation with the Mankind Project, and he very much admired and enjoyed the work done at Training Weekends for men wishing to change their lives for the better. His elder status was a point of pride for him after many years with the group in Montreal as well as gatherings in the United States, and his admiration for the beliefs of Native North American people became central to his spirituality.

A Celebration of Life for Bob is planned for Saturday, August 27th starting at 2:00 pm at Collins, Clarke, MacGillivray, White at 222 autoroute 20 in Pointe Claire, Quebec H9S 3X6. Wearing of masks is required as there will be many family members and friends who are in the high-risk category for Covid. If you are unable to wear a mask we invite you to join the Celebration by Zoom at the following link:

https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/57542

In lieu of flowers donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Diabetes Association would be appreciated.