Robert Bowman Lockhart

Robert grew up in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia with his younger brother Brian. Their dad was an electrician at the Imperial Oil refinery. Their mom had been a teacher before marriage and when the boys came along she was a stay at home mom. One of the Lockhart family stories is about the Royal couple coming to Nova Scotia when Robert (then known as Bobby) was 5 years old. Everyone was standing along the parade route in their Sunday best waving Union Jacks with all eyes on the Royal couple. The procession goes by and Robert says “Wow, look at that 1939 Buick!” That was the beginning of his life long love of cars, the design and style of cars was his specialty. Also from a young age he developed a love of baseball. He knew all the players and statistics over the years. You can imagine his excitement when Toronto got a major league team. He was a Blue Jays fan from the beginning, sitting in the snow watching the home opener. Early in his career he was transferred to Toronto by Imperial Oil. As much as he liked Toronto, Nova Scotia was always home in his heart. For many years there were yearly, sometimes even twice yearly, trips back to Nova Scotia.

Robert, a widower, was in the payroll department at Imperial Oil. One day a new girl, Donna Bennett, transferred into the internal audit department tasked with the daily auditing of the various payrolls. By coincidence they both joined the bowling league. From the occasional coffee after bowling, to the odd lunch, then dinner dates and then finally wedding bells rang out on August 28, 1976 for Robert and Donna.

When Robert was in his late 40's he suffered a brain aneurysm, fortunately he survived. Since he survived when he wasn't expected to, he decided he was going to do something he always wanted to and that was acting. For many years he was an extra in various movies and television programs. He was an extra a number of times in the series “Road to Avonlea”.

Robert was a member of West Hill United Church for approximately 50 years. During that time he was very active in leadership and committee roles in addition to the many social functions. There was much working and laughing together. Robert and Donna made made good friends at the church and these friends sustain and support them to this day.

Robert suffered a number of serious health issues over the years in addition to the aneurysm and kept bouncing back. About 15-17 years ago he was experiencing falls and various other problems that started to get more frequent. During one hospitalization he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. His health gradually deteriorated over the years until his health and Donna's health necessitated his admittance to a long term care facility. Staff at Extendicare Guildwood provided such kind and thoughtful care for almost 4 years. Donna will always be grateful also for their support of her.

One highlight for Robert at Extendicare Guildwood was being asked to be Santa at their Christmas parties for the 3 Christmases he was a resident. He enjoyed ringing his bell and handing out candy canes to residents, their families and staff to everyone's delight.

Over the years Robert and Donna had 6 dogs, 5 were rescue dogs. Molly, their tiny 9 pound Yorkie is their current fur baby. Since her adoption at 4 years of age, a year and a half ago, she visited Robert almost daily. She became a real daddy's girl and brought such joy to Robert this past year. He liked Donna to push him the hall in his wheelchair with Molly on his lap so the other people could admire her. In honour of Robert and Donna's love of their rescue dogs memorial donations can also be made to LOYAL Rescue at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/loyal-rescue-vetting-costs/.

During the early evening of Wednesday, April 15 Robert's struggles ended.

Donna is broken hearted and comforted knowing she had the love of a good man.

Brian is mourning the loss of his older brother, with his wife Paula and their daughter Terri and son Jeff. Also mourning his passing is Donna's extended family. Donna's brother Mel, his wife Jill, their daughter Amy, her husband Brent, their children Blair and Eric; their son Patrick, wife Jennifer and daughter Katie; Donna's brother Fred, wife Pam, their 2 children Andrew, his wife Sonia, their children Sarah, Ryan and their goddaughter Lisa; their younger son Adam, wife Jackie and their children Ashley and Andrea; Donna's sister Janice (deceased), brother in law Bob, their 3 children Erin, husband Colin, Mike, wife Paige, Kelly and her son Jacob.

He also will be greatly missed by his cousins and friends in Ontario and Nova Scotia.

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.”

― A.A. Milne