Robert Bob Eugene Way

Robert Eugene Way was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, "take charge" attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Bob always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Bob was an individual who enjoyed life's challenges.

Bob was born on March 14, 1956 at Western Memorial Hospital in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. His parents were Roland and Helen Way and he was raised in Corner Brook, NL. Always able to express himself well, Bob possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, Bob was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

Blessed with a balanced attitude, Bob was able to relate well with others. His occasional role as family mediator gave him the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Bob was raised with three siblings. He had one older sister Judie, one older brother Bryan and a younger brother Barry. He had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

As a young child, Bob showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. He enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. He took part in baseball, hockey, skating and bowling. He was a Boy Scout and a youth bowler. In his spare time he liked to play board games, ride his bike and play outside with his friends. Bob’s memorable achievements included winning a Youth Bowling Championship, winning a badminton trophy, winning a provincial Baseball Championship and appearing on a Newfoundland TV quiz show for bright students called “Reach for the Top.”

Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and driven individual, Bob was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. Because he liked to take risks, he was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. He was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. In high school, he played badminton and bowling. Other recreational sports Bob participated in included pool and golf. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favourite classes and teachers. His favourite classes in high school were math and science. Bob graduated from Herdman Collegiate in 1973.

When the goal of University was in sight, it became important to Bob. He attended Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland, but realized it was not his forte. Bob then decided to relocate to Ontario to attend Durham College in Oshawa for Real Estate. After completing his Real Estate course, Bob took a new direction and accepted a job at Ontario Hydro.

Friends and acquaintances found Bob an easy man to get to know, and those close to him would often praise his open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life. Bob was uncomplicated and straightforward in his relationships, which allowed him to accept people for what they were. While growing up, some of his best friends were John Hutchings, Eugene Cook, Ford Allen, Darryl Eastman, Bob Hobbs, Elaine White and many more. Later in life, he became friends with all his co-workers, neighbours, poker buddies and bowling buddies.

On September 15, 1984 Bob exchanged wedding vows with Ellenor Jane Dingman at the Harmony United Church in Oshawa, Ontario. He was attentive to Jane's feelings, and he charmed Jane and others with his gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Bob was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humour to his relationship with Jane.

Very much like a kid himself, Bob identified with the inquisitive and creative side of his children's personalities. He was able to direct his energy and spontaneity towards helping his children acquire common sense skills. Bob was blessed with two children, his two sons, Matthew Robert Way (September 27, 1986) and Eric Eugene Way (July 9, 1989).

Bob was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions his strength included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Bob was able to positively handle situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. He could multi-task, and he was endowed with an entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. He was employed for 2 years with Bowater’s Pulp and Paper in Newfoundland. Bob’s primary occupation was a Material Analyst for Ontario Power Generation (formerly Ontario Hydro), with 281/2 years of service.

Bob enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that he did. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favourite pursuits were golf, bowling, poker, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, entertaining, cooking, family dinners, going for walks with his wife and dog, trips home to Newfoundland and teasing. He was also a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favourite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were golf, poker, darts, snooker and hockey. His favourite hockey team was the Detroit Red Wings and his favourite all-time player was Gordie Howe. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone, but was also willing to share his interests with others. Bob had great insight and paid close attention to his family and friends’ interests and always knew the perfect gift to give.

Bob's natural leadership qualities placed him in consideration for public recognition, earning him accolades for his many and varied efforts throughout his life. Some of his awards included multiple bowling trophies and several poker plaques.

Travel and vacations were experiences that Bob truly enjoyed. He preferred to seek out excitement wherever he went, but he also enjoyed vacations that were casual and laid back. He was willing to leave his plans open and flexible, just in case something else of interest came along. Vacations he enjoyed included visits home to Newfoundland, a trip to Las Vegas, P.E.I., Florida, St. Maarten, Dominican Republic, British Columbia, as well as several other places.

Bob was a lover of animals and was a best friend to Jake, his Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) for the last 11 years of his life.

When Bob's retirement finally came on September 18, 2009, he was well prepared. He used a logical analysis of his retirement options in order to ensure his retirement would be fulfilling. Still, he was able to easily adapt to possible changes and enjoyed just having fun and being relaxed. In retirement, he continued to enjoy spending time with his family and playing poker. Future plans included golfing, biking and travelling with his “princess” Jane.

Bob passed away on Saturday May 8, 2010 at his home in Oshawa. He was taken too soon, without warning by unknown coronary artery disease. He is survived by his wife Jane, his children Matthew and Eric. Memorial Services were held at the Oshawa Funeral Home Chapel on Friday May 14, 2010. Bob's ashes were laid to rest in Oshawa, ON and Mount Patricia Cemetery, Corner Brook, NL.

Bob was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Bob had a theme song written about him, it might well have been "Don't Worry, Be Happy." He enjoyed life to the fullest, took pride in his family and cherished all of his friends. This is how everyone will remember Robert Eugene Way.