Robert Ronald Walsh

To Robert Ronald Walsh, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Robert, 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. Robert really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Robert was born on July 12, 1967 at St. Claire's Mercy Hospital in St. John's, Newfoundland to mother, Isabella Walsh. Even as a child, Rob had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. He was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, he succeeded in entertaining his entire family.

Always a good playmate, Rob was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for cracking a joke or a sarcastic comment to make everyone bust a gut laughing. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Rob managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Rob was raised with two siblings. He had an older brother, Mike and a younger sister, Michelle.

All of Rob's playful good humour carried over into his childhood. 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. As a result, Rob experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He took to sports early in life. Head hunted with senior men’s fast pitch at the young age of 14 due to his pitching abilities. No matter if it was hockey, softball, golf or throwing a line in the water, whatever the sport he was a natural. Later on his passion for music only intensified.

Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Rob was a class “cut-up.” He didn’t do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Rob simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Rob, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Rob graduated from St. Boniface High School on Bell Island, Newfoundland in 1986. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favourite classes and teachers. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Sister Paula. Rob also took part in school sports and excelled at hockey (school team).

Rob was able to set most at ease while he spoke with a common sense attitude and his personality made it easy to captivate his audience. Whether it was a story, joke, song or just plain fooling around, Rob was always right at home having some fun with his close friends. Rob always had a unique ability to see people for who they are and chose friends carefully.While growing up in Newfoundland some of his best mates were Paul Lahey, Joe Skanes, Tim King and

shortly before his own passing was pre-deceased by his lifelong friend and fellow musician Gerry Tremblett. Throughout his life in Cambridge, Rob became friends with Glenis, Kirby, Mark and Ryan along with Dan, Mark and John from the band FlatRock.

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On May 30, 2020 Rob exchanged wedding vows with Karen Myles-Baldwin. A quaint ceremony occurred at his home residence in Cambridge, Ontario.

Perhaps the reason Rob related so well to children was the fact that he never really completely grew up himself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped him in raising his own children. Rob was blessed with two children, his daughter Taylor and son Tyler. Along with one beautiful Granddaughter, Kylie. Rob 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. His children and grand-child were his joy.

At work, as in life, Rob was a real “people person.” He had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Rob liked to see himself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Rob was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Rob's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Rob as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was Branch Manager. He was employed for 20+ years at Underground Specialties / Wolseley Waterworks.

Rob enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. His favourite pursuit outside of family life was Da Gym!! Photography was a joy, he had an eye for a good photo op and he liked to tinker with the pictures. With the love of riding his motorcycle and writing song lyrics, Rob was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Rob felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if he wasn’t the best, Rob loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Rob relished the opportunities where he could make an impact, and he would often push himself to play above his abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Rob never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. In high school, Rob played softball and hockey which he continued to play even as an adult. Rob was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favourite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were golf and hockey.

Rob was never one for travelling afar or taking vacations overseas but his favourite vacations were always the ones spent with family.

Rob passed away on July 29, 2020 in the comfort of his home. Rob fought a brief yet valiant battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Taylor (Mike), son Tyler, step-son TJ, granddaughter Kylie, mother Isabella Walsh-King, step-dad John King, brother Mike (Dawn), sister Michelle (Owen), aunt Leona, uncle Leo, cousin Bernie and nephew Leo. Services were held at Coutts Funeral Home, Cambridge Ontario along with another service held in Bell Island, NFLD and he was laid to rest in St. Michael's Cemetery in Bell Island, NFLD.

Robert brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. 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 Ronald Walsh lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.

Lastly we would like to leave you with this!! When Rob was presented with his situation, one of the first things that came to mind and was soon to become his mantra was “We all have an expiry date, it is what it is: Fuck it”.

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Well if you’re reading this, then it’s true I’m not just strumming the chords but have taken that stairway to heaven.

I passed away at home surrounded by my loving family on July 29, 2020.

Leaving behind my beautiful wife Karen, daughter Taylor (Mike), son Tyler, step-son TJ and grand-daughter Kylie. Mother Isabella Walsh-King, Step-dad John King, brother Mike (Dawn), sister Michelle (Owen), aunt Leona, uncle Leo, cousin Bernie and nephew Leo. Close family friends, Paul Lahey, Joe Skanes and Tim King.

Waiting for me on the other side is Nanny Isabelle Ezekiel (Fahey), Pop Leo Ezekiel, nephew Mathew Reid-Walsh and my brother from another mother Gerry Tremblett. Get those strings humming brother, I’m coming.

Having come to Cambridge at the age of 19, all I can say, is it’s been one heck of a ride. My family was my life, music was my passion and the love of sports always stayed with me.

It’s been a fantastic 20+years working with Mark and the crew, at Underground Specialties / Wolseley Waterworks, such a great group of people. Along with 20+years playing alongside exceptional guys in the band FlatRock; Mark Parnell, Dan Parks and John Power. So many memories and laughs! There are way too many more names to mention, but you all know who you are. Thank you all!

A special shout out to Dr. Haligan, Dr. Lin, Nurse Practitioner Donna Gill and Paramed RN Ram Mancolintas. You gave me the extra time to see my grand-daughter and for that, I thank you.

Celebration of life will take place in two separate events. I will be hanging out in Cambridge for a day at Coutts Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Saturday, August 1, 2020 from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. In accordance with Covid-19 Provincial, Federal and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario current regulations, the number of visitors are limited and access to our facility will be controlled. All visitors are required to wear a mask, provide the funeral home personnel with their name and telephone number and observe physical distancing measures while on the premises. Upon arrival to the scheduled events funeral home staff will provide complete direction.

The second one will take place when Newfoundland opens their bubble. Time and date to be determined, stay tuned my friends.

In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to my grand-daughter’s education fund. Please contact Coutts Funeral Home, Michelle Crabbe or Owen Crabbe for details on how to donate.

I know you all will miss me as I am a delightful person but I leave you on this note; “Everyone comes with an expiry date, it is what it is, Never say Never . . .”