James Robert Corley

James Robert (Bob) Corley 1931 – 2018 Bob Corley lived a full and rewarding life, from his early years growing up in small town Saskatchewan, to his 36 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, followed by almost 30 years of retirement spent travelling and exploring North America, making close friends and above all else, enjoying time with family. Bob passed away peacefully on Friday, July 6, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. In his final week – and in typical fashion – his focus was not on himself or his deteriorating condition, but on his family and friends, and the memories they had made together over the years. A teacher in his pre-RCMP life, his last lesson to family was how to accept the inevitable close of the cycle of life and make this final transition with courage, grace and dignity. The youngest of 5 boys, Bob was raised in Nipawin and Wapella, Saskatchewan. In 1952, after a short time teaching school, he joined the RCMP. Following training in Regina, he was posted to British Columbia where he served in Burnaby, Cloverdale and Prince Rupert. There, he met and fell in love with his wife of the last 63 years, Marie Barbara Corley (nee: Murphy). In 1958, they transferred to Ottawa, where they spent the next 9 years raising their young family. In 1967, they took the family west to Winnipeg and then Brandon, Manitoba. In 1978, they returned to BC, first to Prince George where Bob was the Superintendent responsible for the RCMP. In 1983, he and Barb made their final move to Chilliwack, BC, which has been their home for the past 35 years. Bob retired from the RCMP in 1988. In 1990, he was appointed as a Member of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board, a capacity in which he served for four years. Throughout his life, Bob was involved with his community. For several years in the 1970’s he served as the RCMP Aide-de-Camp to successive Lieutenant Governors of Manitoba. He also worked tirelessly on many church and community projects, including as a Rotarian. He served as President, Rotary Club of Chilliwack-Fraser and on the Board of Chilliwack Community Services. His greatest passions were his family, golf and travel. Summers at the cottage at Lac Clair, Québec, and family trips across Canada all served to forge strong family bonds. Over the years, he and Barb travelled by RV all over North America, exploring and making new friends along the way. One trip in 2000 took them to La Manzanilla, Mexico on the Pacific coast. They fell in love with the area and the people. For the next 14 years, La Manzanilla became their winter home. After a few years hiatus, they returned in 2017 and enjoyed seeing old friends and taking in the area’s beauty one last time. Bob is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Barb; his three children, Cal (Eva), Shane (Dayna) and Kim Riddell (Bill); his six grandchildren, Kristen, Dale, Sarah, Lee, Katherine and Paige; and five great-grandchildren – Claire, Natalie, James, Tyler and Nicholas. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at the Chilliwack Golf & Country Club on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 between 2 and 5 p.m. If so inclined, please consider a donation to either the Chilliwack Hospice Society or Chilliwack Community Services, both of which Bob spent countless hours supporting as a volunteer.