Robert Maurice Proulx

Robert Maurice Proulx (“Bob”), born February 26, 1949, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2026. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sandra Proulx, and three sons, Heith (Katie) Proulx, Clint (Seanna) Proulx, and Chad (Nichola) Proulx. Robert was born in Leoville, Saskatchewan but grew up in Penticton BC, where he attended school and met and married his high school sweetheart, Sandra. Robert was an incredibly skilled craftsman who could tackle any task with expert precision. His family benefited from his ability to build absolutely anything - carpentry, cabinetry, flooring, woodwork, upholstering - from start to finish. Robert began training as an auto mechanic but switched his focus to floor laying, finishing his training at UBC in the early 1970s. He excelled as a floor layer and throughout his career he worked all over BC installing flooring in homes, institutions and commercial buildings province wide. There wasn’t anything Robert couldn’t build.

In addition to being a tireless worker, Robert was a family man. He loved his family dearly and they always came first in his life. He was always present for his grandchildren (Brittany, Kashlee, Jacob, Kyle, Chloe and Meah) at their soccer and hockey games, to drive them to or from school, to help change a tire, shovel a driveway or with anything they needed. We always knew that no matter what, Robert was there for us.

Robert enjoyed camping and fishing and spent his free time doing both activities. He enjoyed going with good friends and family and he patiently taught his grandchildren how to prepare their fishing rods and reel in fish. They enjoyed spending time with Grampa around the campfire and fishing off the dock or out in the boat. No matter what he was doing, Robert always found a way to include his grandchildren. He taught them how to use tools and he made little tool boxes for them. They would happily hammer nails into boards while Grampa was busy working in his wood shop. Robert was also an excellent baker. Everyone looked forward to his famous cookies and we kept special containers for him to fill when the urge to bake would strike him.

Later in life, Robert bonded with his little dog, Peanut. She was definitely Robert’s girl and he doted on her. She followed him around like a little shadow and Robert was heartbroken when she passed away last August.

Sadly, Robert’s career in floor laying exposed him to asbestos, which damaged his lungs over the years. He was diagnosed with asbestosis, and his health deteriorated over the following years, preventing him from doing the things he enjoyed the most. He was no longer able to build things, bake or enjoy the outdoors. As his health declined, Sandra was his tireless caregiver. She made sure he was comfortable day and night and cared for him at home for as long as possible. Robert passed away at Royal Inland Hospital on April 30, 2026. Sandra and the rest of the family are devastated by his passing but relieved that Robert went peacefully, that he was able to spend time with his family members who gathered near him at the end, and that he is now able to breathe easy, and enjoy all of the things he had been missing. We all loved Robert dearly and he will be missed by us all. We take peace in the knowledge that he’s watching over us as always, with his little Peanut by his side.