Everything that was said at his memorial was true. Supportive, respectful and loyal and a straight shooter. I think I must have met Bob and Billy at the Whalley Ballpark. Can’t imagine where else because we didn’t attend the same school until QE. We knew about each other because of music. He was playing in bands and I had a folk group. I went to UBC and he went to U of Vic. In 1970 a relative of mine who got me to play bass in his band took me to see his friend playing in the Leon Hotel in the Coquitlam area and there was Bob backing up the singer guitarist on sax and flute, and vocals. I thought, wow, this guy is good. And as fate has it, a few years later he was singing and playing sax with me in a folk rock choir Bargain at Half the Price and also in a band format we had playing mainly weddings. After he got married with family and all he went off my radar for almost a decade until Bargain had a couple of reunions in the early mid 1980s. And then once again he went off my radar until 2012-2013 or so when he had contacted Barry Laffin up on Vedder Mountain who in turn contacted me. What followed next was a quick exit to the Philippines of both Barry and me to continue our musical journey as The Bamboo Kings! Great 3 part harmonies and great times! And here in Canada, whenever one of my groups had a performance or concert somewhere, who was there showing his support, the one and only Bobby G. RIP

To paraphrase the preacher at Bob's celebration of life, mourning Bob the way he'd want to be mourned is like learning to dance with a broken foot. 

Bob was an amazing friend!  He talked me into going on a shortage to Jasper back in 1981.  He said Les you may meet the Woman you will spend the rest of you life with.   Well it just so Happens  I did!  Thanks Bob.   He was the MC at our wedding.  
We did our first trip to Mexico with Bob back in 1982.  Lots of fun and Lots of tequila.  Recently he joined us for Karens 60th and had some good laughs!   Bob always had a smile! Always had a positive outlook on life and Always made people feel loved and welcome!   Will miss you good buddy!    RIP Bob.  Watch out for those Moose on the hwy to heaven!   Lol.     Les and Karen 

Bob was my cousin knew him well he came to wadena every year  i lived with him in surrey for a year when i went to bcit i got to know all his friends weve been pals for years he came to mexico to see us and we talked about comeing here  this year he was a great guy  we both loved jazz came to visit us in gibsons on his motor  bike he loved his family will miss his smile  and his jokes our thoughts are with him today im sure all his cousins will miss him as well im in mexico now he was suposed  joining  as well  but i think his sprit is here with us 

I too first met Bob way back in 2002 when he joined the ranks of volunteer as artist transportation for Coastal Jazz. He was a natural people person, making everyone around him comfortable with his kind manner and genuine smile. Always a pro when he got behind the wheel and when he drove off there was always a positive outcome, except maybe one time when Lady Gaga thought he was a bit too old to be driving someone so hip, but she did not take the time to know Bob. Away from the festival we would run into each other on the street as he lived in the west end, or at a venue filled with music. A good chat about life as we see it, an appreciation for wherever he was, and never one to complain. That is why it came as such a surprise to hear of his sudden passing. One of the good ones has left us and he will be missed. My condolences to his family and loved ones

I first met Bob  when he joined the Jazz Festival transportation crew as a driver in 2002. It was apparent that he was a man worth knowing. He was engaging, interesting, friendly, had a fine sense of humour and was quick with a smile. I took to him right away. Bob did stuff. He was always trying something new or going off somewhere he'd never been. Having survived cancer I could see he was trying to make the most of the time he had left and I admired him for that. I visited him three times in the Philippines where he was wintering at the time. He put me up in his house and introduced me to the culture and the idyllic Alona Beach. I  spent many happy hours hanging out on his porch or at Amigos Cantina, a roadside bar that Bob started that was a local hangout for ex-pats. He became known as Sir Bob to me and I as Sir Phil to him, titles we both acquired as we were addressed by the polite and respectful locals. Bob always returned to Vancouver in the spring when the weather got too hot in the Philippines and we'd hook up and catch up, taking in a movie, a jazz festival gig or a baseball game at Nat Bailey or just talking on the phone when the interval between connections got to be a bit too long. In recent years I got to see him more often as he became a regular, sharing a table with him at the free Saturday afternoon jazz concerts at the Patricia Hotel. In fact, how I found out he'd left us was because I'd phoned him and left a message wondering if I'd see him the following Saturday as I hadn't seen him for a few weeks. Katy returned the call and the rest we know. 

I'm deeply saddened by Bob's passing. The thought of never seeing him again hurts. When I catch up to him I'm gonna smack him for leaving without saying goodbye. Until then I'll miss him dearly and will always be grateful for having met him and having him as a friend. Rest in peace, Sir Bob

Unthinkable was the news I received this week about Bob's passing. I can only reflect back over sixty years of knowing him, attending school together from Elementary to High School, hanging out in our twenties and thirties, every so often talking on the phone and seeing you at 2 High School reunions.
Remembering your big grin and that hardy laugh, your generosity and your music. You loved music and especially your sax.
So my friend as I remember your rendition of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" which I watched you perform on many occasions, may you peaceably tiptoe through the tulips and keep the music playing.

It is with great sadness I write this. Bob was an extraordinary person. Always there to help and support. A fabulous conversationalist and a truly engaged person. A musician and music enthusiast we saw many shows together. He was also a truly funny person. I was fortunate enough to get to hang around with him and his best pal Craig Hardy often and have many great memories of their kibitzing. I trust those two are hoisting one and laughing somewhere up in the great wide open. RIP Bob you made a difference my friend. 

Always remember the beautiful baritone voice of Bob's as we shared microphones in the band Bargain at Half the Price back in the 70's. ''Oh (what a ) devil time" still rings in my ears. Sing on brother!

Never ever did I think I would be writing this, so, so very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Bob and his family were very good to me, taking me into their home and into their family. I shared Christmas dinners, birthdays, good times and some sad times for seven years. Music was ever where, Mrs G. on the piano, Bob on his sax. Bob was Best Man at my wedding, Mina our witness. There was always laughter, Bob always with a smile and so very kind. I will miss him dearly.

My heart is broken and joins the family and friends of our dear buddy Bob, as we sorrowfully grieve the loss of such an amazing friend, father and human being. Words cannot truly express the sorrow that  we are feeling with this devastating news.

Bob , you have given us all a great appreciation of your love , friendship and warmth. For those and many more memories, we that have known you and loved you, thank you Bob. You shall be in our memories forever.

My deepest sympathy to family and friends. 
I am thankful for the lovely conversation Bob and I had at the last QE reunion.  A lot of great memories. 

Many of us who volunteered for Coastal Jazz will surely miss Bob. He was a wonderful kind-hearted person who I had many great conversations with. I enjoyed his company immensely! Here are a few of us at Jazz Fest in 2019. My heart felt condolences to his family. Rest in Peace Bob. 

I only ever got a chance to hang out around Bob at the Jazz Festival - what a great guy, and such an important volunteer to our organization.  I know he has driven many a world-famous musician around town, and had some stories to tell.  On behalf of everyone at Coastal Jazz and Blues, thank you, Bob!


So very shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Bobby G. Just a month ago we went out on our last motorbike ride of the season. Little did I know that this would be our last ride together on this earth.  As always, we stopped for lunch and laughed and chatted about needing to go somewhere warm for the winter, and to buy smaller bikes for next year.  I will miss my riding buddy , but even more,  we will all miss our good friend, musician, and wonderful person. Keep the motor  running hot,  Bob, maybe we'll ride together again some day. 

Chris Y 

I went to West Whalley and QE with Bob and remember he played the sax, he was always so friendly and kind RIP Bob

Met Bob and his late brother Billy at Elememtary School.  Their Mother was also one of my Elementary School teachers. We moved on to Jr. High at West Whalley and were good friends. One great Memory was Bob and his Band mates playing the "House of the Rising Sun" for our Sock Hop Dances .  Bob played the Sacsaphone and he could really Rock! Awesome! We both moved on to QE and Graduated together.  Fast forward 50 years and we shared some time at our 50th  QE reunion. Had a great visit. I didn't know that I was 2 days older than Bob. Another Airies! RIP friend. Gone to soon! 

I always made sure to seek out Bob on the all to rare family occasion we had the chance to get together. Bob and I would exchange a few pleasantries and then get the heart of the matter: How could Bob possibly like Van Morrison’s Astral weeks more than Bob Dylan’s ‘Blood on the Tracks’.  And then the next thing you knew, we would  talk music for an hour with total disregard for everything going on around us (unless anyone related to the Guloien family started playing music, then the conversation would stop). 

I’m immensely saddened that we will never have this discussion ever again.  You know what, I’ve listened to Astral Weeks 3 times in the last week. Cousin Bob, I stand corrected. 

Rest well my friend. 

Bob was the most wonderful friend to my cousin Craig Hardy.   Those two shared a lifetime of laughs and good times.  We so appreciated all the support and care Bob provided Craig while Craig was ill.    Whenever I met Bob, he was so gracious and such interesting company.    Pam 

OBITUARY

Robert Nels Gillanders

3 April, 1949 – 26 November, 2021

Victory Memorial Park & Funeral Centre

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