Robert John Borden

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob, Robbie, RJ, Mudgie) John Borden at the age of 66. Bob passed away unexpectedly at his home in Wellington with his wife, daughter and son nearby.

Born in Dartmouth, he was the son of the late Robert Sr. and Rhoda Borden. As a young man growing up in Woodlawn, Dartmouth, he enjoyed and excelled at working on cars, playing hockey and baseball as well as woodworking. During his time attending Prince Andrew (PA) High School he was on the provincial championship winning hockey team. After his graduation from PA in 1978 he worked part-time at the Chronicle Herald while attending the Technical University of Nova Scotia. While there he attained a degree in Mechanical Engineering, later acquiring his professional engineering designation. Bob worked the first few years of his career with a couple of local engineering firms; later working with the provincial government, then Nova Scotia Health for the balance of his career, retiring in 2022. It was there that he made many lifelong friends.

Bob first met his future wife, Cheryl, at a very young age when their mothers worked together. In 1988, after 4 years of dating, Bob and Cheryl decided to settle down in Wellington, just outside of Halifax. Bob procured a plot of land which they cleared in the spring then proceeded to build their first home almost entirely on their own (with help from family and friends), while also getting married. They moved into their new home by Christmas that year. The plan was to live in the house for one year then build another and move on. Well 37 years later they were still living in the same house, so we know how that plan went!

When not at work Bob could be found at the rink for hockey or ringette with his three kids (often racking up 11 trips a week). Family vacations were spent visiting the family cottage on Piggot Lake, visiting family in Newfoundland, some camping adventures in PEI and Quebec and a few trips to Florida and Myrtle Beach. Most travelling once the family was grown was done by Cheryl and Taylor while Bob dog sat and pursued his other passion, antique automobile restoration and customized hot rods. His social life was typically car shows, show and shines and spending time with his car enthusiast friends. Anytime the ‘39 Buick left the house you can bet Taylor was sitting shotgun. He completed several vehicles that were recognized for the fine craftmanship and design that Bob brought to the project. His current project has been in the works for over 11 years and was to be a competitor for one of the most prestigious hot rod awards in the world. It will now be completed in his honour by family and friends. More recently he frequented the rinks again but now with his two beloved grandkids in tow. It was 2 skating sessions and 2 games per week with his 5 year-old granddaughter Lincoln and 2 skating sessions per week with his 3 year-old grandson Dallas (with Taylor still

riding shotgun!). The man, who was also a lifelong Boston Bruins fan, certainly should have had a rink named after him!

Bob was predeceased by his daughter Jessica Lyn Borden and niece Brianna Vallis.  He is survived by his wife of 37 years Cheryl (nee Vallis), his son Robert (Shelby) and grandchildren Lincoln and Dallas, his daughter Taylor, his sister Brenda (Allan King) and his mother and father-in-law Joan and Leonard Vallis.  He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, their wives and children, Greg Vallis (Sherry, Brent, Colby) and Darryl Vallis (Jennifer, Corey, Ryan).  He will be greatly missed by his four-legged pals, Hank and Molly, whom he religiously walked twice a day for the past 8 years.

We are proud to say that Bob’s last kindness was the gift of tissue/bone donation to the Nova Scotia Regional Tissue Bank as well as the RCMP K9 Training Program.

Open Visitation: Wednesday, February 25th – 5:30-7:30pm @ A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home - 217 Portland St, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 1J5

Funeral service will be held Thursday February 26th, 2026 at 11am at St. Thomas Anglican Church of Fall River (www.stmargaretsstthomas.ca). Funeral service will be livestreamed (link to follow). A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Memorial Donations may be made to Nova Scotia Heart & Stroke Foundation, SPCA or a charity of your choice.

The family of Bob Borden wish to thank the many people who extended love and prayers, meals and hugs to us all. Also a thank you to Rev. Michael Tutton and the volunteers at St. Thomas Anglican Church. We are grateful for the “Village” we belong to. Thank you all for celebrating Bob’s life with us.