Robert Bob Francis Holmes

Good morning. For anyone that doesn’t know me, I’m Ed, Bob’s son-in-law. Even though I have only known Bob for a short time, I feel like I’ve known him for a lifetime. He made me a welcome part of the family from the first time I met him and I will always remember Bob for the way he accepted me.

I will share one personal story that I will always remember.

Anyone who has known Bob for any length of time knows that he has great compassion for his fellow man and is always there to help the community. We also know that he is a very patient person. Yes Bob and patience mixed like oil and water. The first time I was over for dinner I remember the unique way in which Bob set the table. I learned quickly that you had to be on your toes because the plates come a flyin’. And as his granddaughter Tiffany (or Tiffy as Bob called her) is well aware don’t take too long to decide on dessert choices either. Yes Bob was very patient.

Bob had many qualities that we all admired. I saw a sign the other day that said, 'Live your life so the preacher doesn't have to lie at your funeral'. The challenge today is trying to convey the magnitude of his value to us as a father, grandpa, great grandpa and friend. So what we say here today will be woefully inadequate to that task.

Bob's passing on Oct. 17th was not at that point a surprise or an unmerciful development but still terribly difficult to bear. The family would like to extend thanks and appreciation to all who were so kind and supportive, not only through his illness, but also during his years of dialysis. Heartfelt thanks goes to Bob’s Renal Dialysis family and the many people who drove him to and from the Sault for his treatment which was 3 times a week. As well, the prayers, moral support, donations and meals helped us through this difficult time and allowed us to focus on Bob. Your kindness will always be remembered. Additional thanks and appreciation goes to the wonderful staff at ARCH for their kindness and compassion during Bob’s last few days. In the end, he passed away peacefully with his family by his side.

Bob was born Apr. 20, 1925 the only child of Ira and Rita Holmes. From stories we've heard, being an only child apparently had its benefits. We recall the story of Bob as a youngster, hopping on a bike that was displayed outside a store and riding off down the street. His parents were forced to purchase the bike rather than be hauled off to jail! He always did know how to get what he wanted.

And what Bob wanted as soon as he was old enough was to enlist in the navy, so at the age of 18 he did enlist and served for 3 years until the end of World War 2. Shortly after the end of the war Bob was discharged from the navy and he found his way to a logging camp in Hansen Ontario. It was here that the next stage of his life would begin. He thought he came here to find work but he was really here to meet the love of his life, Wilma Niemi. Wilma was the only woman at a camp full of men and she picked him and he could not have been happier. After a short courtship, he brought her to the Island to meet his parents. Bob and Wilma were married on November 10, 1948...during hunting season. As the story goes, Bob actually went hunting on the morning of their wedding...but was kind enough to show up in time for their ceremony. And he never forgot their anniversary! The only problem was, it was always spent at the camp!

Bob and Wilma first set up home in Searchmont and then later moved to the Island where they would remain. They began their family on the Island and enjoyed many wonderful years with their children: Jean, Gary, Lee-Ann and Nancy.

Bob worked hard to provide for his family and followed in his father's footsteps, working as a plumbing supplies salesman for Cochrane Dunlop. When Cochrane closed he stayed in the same line of work at Emco where he worked until he retired at 65. His retirement didn’t last long – he was never one for sitting around – he worked as a Marina Manager at the Richard’s Landing marina for 3 years. Nancy recalls one of her female co-workers relaying a story to her that she had met her Dad on the weekend – Her and her husband were docking at the marina and the “manager” was there to help. The manager held out his hand for which the coworker thought was to help her onto the dock, but alas, it was not for her, it was for the rope and down she went, into the lake. The manager caught the rope, tied up the boat and then helped her out of the water.

Bob had many hobbies and interests including a love of hockey, having skated as a young lad in the streets and hills of Richards Landing and then onto playing with an organized hockey team. Later as a father he often helped coach Gary's hockey team and he loved watching Jean play on the all girls’ team in high school.

He also enjoyed softball, fishing, camping, snowmobiling and hunting. He enjoyed these activities with his friends, relatives and neighbours, including the Brown’s, the McKay’s, the Eddies and the Aelick’s. Lee-Ann and his camping friends from Fred’s Trailer park put a smile on his face on those summer Friday’s at the Legion and pot luck Saturdays. He always looked forward to his morning coffee outings with the gang at the coffee shop. Bob had so many friends on the Island and surrounding areas that I am sure I have left out more than one person, my apologies for that, but please know that he loved each and every one of you.

Bob was an extraordinary member of the community having volunteered as an umpire for softball, worked the panda booth at community night, cook at Cornfest, cook for the pancake breakfasts at the Legion and grooming the snowmobile trails for the Voyageurs Snowmobile club. He was a proud member of the Legion and recently received his 55 year pin. He particularly enjoyed the legion’s pancake breakfast every April where he volunteered. I am sure that over those years he made thousands of pancakes, and as his children and grandchildren can attest, they were the best! We often wondered why Bob’s pancakes tasted so good and the secret was revealed not so long ago in a picture taken by Lee-Ann of the bowl he used to mix up the batter. Who knew tupperware could last 55 years.

Bob was the person who could inspire us when we needed inspiration, who could console us when we needed reassurance, guide us when we required guidance and do it all with love and understanding. I'm sure he will be missed, sitting in the back pew of the church each Sunday - thank you Bob and Sally for ensuring he got there - and to the entire church family for your care and compassion in always looking out for him...he truly did appreciate it. I'm sure his neighbours will miss seeing him out chasing 'those darn geese', even in his underwear or with a gun whatever he had to do!

Each one of us holds close to our hearts, special memories of Bob. That is what will carry us through and as I think about saying goodbye for now, I picture both Bob and Wilma, sitting on the porch, waving. Until we meet again.

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HOLMES, Robert Francis (Bob) – Passed away peacefully with family by his side at the Algoma Residential Community Hospice on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at the age of 87. Beloved husband of the late Wilma. Loving father of Jean Salvalaggio (Wayne), Gary Holmes (Carol), Lee-Ann Miller (Jim) and Nancy Mrowiec (Ed). Dear grandfather of Jeff, Jamie (Monica), Jason, Lindsey (Mike), T.J. (Alison), Bobbi-Jo (Yami), late Aleisha, Zak, Tiffany and Cody. Great grandfather of 7. Brother-in-law of Bill Niemi (Jean) and Joe Niemi. A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 22, 2012 from Harmony St. Mark’s Church at 1 pm. Rev. Eun Joo Park officiating. Interment Richards Landing Cemetery. Memorial contributions to the Harmony St. Marks’ Stained Glass Window Fund, SAH Renal Dialysis Care Fund, or ARCH would be appreciated. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of the SAH Renal Unit and the staff at ARCH for their care and support. (Arrangements entrust to the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre 705-759-2522). Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com