Robert Eugene Gendreau

Bob attended school in Ste. Rose and went on to autobody trade school in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was a huge hockey fan and played whenever he got a chance – day or night - from the time he was a young boy to his mid-thirties. In his younger days, Bob also enjoyed snow skiing downhill as well as riding dirt bikes. Over the years, Bob restored many, many cars for profit and for pleasure. It was always a favorite activity, as he enjoyed seeing the finished product.

Bob worked in various auto body shops across Canada, including in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Minnedosa, Saskatchewan; and Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia. In 1985, Bob moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he managed several different dealership autobody shops. He eventually owned and operated his own, Moe Allen Auto Body Shop, until it was sold in 2006.

Bob and JoNell Sandstrom were united in marriage on January 18, 1989. They shared their love of dancing, golfing, and having good times with family and friends. Bob was a quiet, kind man, but he was also a fun-loving man. As a friend once said, Bob was not only a gentleman, he was a gentle man.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Edouard, his sister Juliette, his stepdaughter Heidi, his brother-in-law Gary Heise and his brother-in-law Garth Robertson. He is survived by JoNell, his wife of 37 years; sister Lorraine Robertson, Winnipeg, MB; brother Pierre (Margaret Ann), Vancouver BC; brother Guy (Val), Yorkton, Saskatchewan; sister-in-law Renée Heise, Mesa, AZ; brother-in-law, Charlie Sandstrom, Minot, ND; brother-in-law Marty Bell, Vancouver, BC; plus many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Mesa, AZ, or a charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 6, 2:00 pm, Sunland Springs Village Auditorium, 2240 S. Springwood Boulevard, Mesa, AZ 85209.