Bob Michel Paquette

To Bob Paquette, life was about family, friends, his animals and nature. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Bob bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Bob really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

His parents were Gerrard and Delores Paquette. Bob was raised in Kapuskasing, Ontario. Even as a child, Bob had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly.

Always a good playmate, Bob was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Bob managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Bob was raised with one sibling. He had an older brother named Joe.

All of Bob’s playful good humor carried over into his adulthood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. He loved fishing and hunting, he was also a scout and member of militia. In his spare time, he liked to play guitar in a band or with friends in a sing-a long.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Bob very easy to approach. On August 8, 1981 Bob exchanged wedding vows with Marilyn Margaret Dyment at Lynden United Church. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

Perhaps the reason Bob related so well to children was the fact that he never completely grew up himself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped him in raising his own children. Bob was blessed with three children, one son Benjamin Michel and two daughters Rachel Elise and Becka Doreen. They were also blessed with three grandsons Owen, Carter, Matthew and their newest addition, Lily Bobbi, named after her poppa. Bob had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of his attention was directed. Bob’s compassionate side prevented him from being a strict disciplinarian, and he could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. He could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Bob’s had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

At work, as in life, Bob was a real “people person.” He had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. When dealing with various projects and problems, Bob was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Bob’s talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Bob as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was a truck driver.

Bob enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Bob liked creating and making things. His favourite pursuits were hunting, fishing, playing guitar, singing and cutting wood. Bob was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

He was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real-life adventure that came from visiting them. He was willing to try anything once. Favourite vacations included his hunting and fishing trips with Peter and business trips with Marilyn.

Bob was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. Two of Bob’s favourites were Desi and Bear both Bouvier dogs. They were best friends for over ten years. His family was rounded out by his two litters of puppies. One litter of 12 and one litter of 13. Lots of black furry bundles of energy.

Bob believed that you had to experience life, and his life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived in 2016, Bob took it in stride as one more way to have fun. With his boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Bob remained busy with people and projects. In retirement, he found new pleasure in helping to look after his grandchildren. Even in retirement, Bob continued to stay in touch with his old friends and, since he'd never met a stranger, he made plenty of new acquaintances as well.

Bob passed away on October 10, 2017 at Lisaard House in Cambridge, Ontario. Services were held at Coutts Funeral Home and Bob was laid to rest in Parklawn Cemetery.

Bob brought joy to all of those around him. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Robert Michel Paquette lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.

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After a short battle with cancer, passed away at Lisaard House on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 surrounded by the love of his family at the age of 64. Loving husband to Marilyn (nee Dyment) of 36 wonderful years, dear father to Ben (Amy), Rachel and Becka (Jim), proud Poppa to Owen, Matthew, Carter and baby Franken due to arrive in November, brother to Joe (Pam). Bob is predeceased by his parents Joseph and Dolores Paquette. He will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his extended family and friends, especially by his four-legged canine friend Bear (bouvier). Friends and family will be received on Friday, October 13, 2017 at Coutts Funeral Home, 96 St. Andrews Street, Cambridge (519-621-1650) from 6 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held the following day on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 11 a.m. from the funeral home chapel. Interment to follow at Parklawn Cemetery, Cambridge. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to The Lisaard House or to the Cambridge and District Humane Society would be greatly appreciated. Family and friends will remember Bob fondly sitting around his campfire, watching his grandchildren, stroking his dog and playing his guitar. The family would like to acknowledge all of the friends and family that have supported them during this difficult journey.