Robert John Hunter Denbow

Our hearts are broken as we announce the sudden passing of Robert John Hunter Denbow (78) on February 9, 2025, in Victoria, BC. Bob (aka: Denny, Dad, Papa, Grandpa, Bobby-D) was born in Brandon Manitoba on April 9, 1946 to Florence Lillian (Hunter) Denbow (rip) and John Norman Denbow (rip). He was the only son and youngest sibling of three.

Bob joined the Canadian Armed Forces (Navy) in 1964 where he trained as a Meteorological technician (weatherman). His service life afforded him the opportunity to see the world - traveling to countries he may otherwise have never visited.

He served on several Navy ships, but the most memorable to him was his service on Canada’s only aircraft carrier at the time, HMCS Bonaventure. His final service posting was CFB Comox, an air-force base, where he spent 2 years before retiring in 1975. He, Barb and their young family made their way down-island to Victoria and settled in Brentwood Bay where they raised their three girls.

Most who knew Bob will remember him as a charismatic, articulate person with an incredibly detailed memory and passion for cars, sports and music. He enjoyed listening to music from vinyl LP albums on his old fashioned turntable when entertaining at home - “I’ll play this one on volume 10” he was known to say, as Donna Summers, ZZ Top, Fleetwood Mac and many more filled the air. Everyone, including his kids and grandkids, enjoyed his selections.

After his service career Bob explored a few work professions and then settled into a position at a local business, Jac-Wil plastics, where he earned much respect and friendships in a supervisory capacity. He retired 25 years later, when the factory closed.

Being a big car enthusiast, Bob took great pride and care in the maintenance of his vehicles, so much so that a neighbour once nicknamed him ‘Mr. Clean’ - as he was known to pull out the hose on almost a daily basis to wash his car.

During his service years he participated in recreational hockey and bowling, winning championships in both. He continued with hockey, and later was eligible to play in the Old Timers hockey league. Two memorable hockey teams were Esquimalt Selects and Esquimalt Thunderbirds. Many memories and friendships were made at the Esquimalt arena.

From early childhood, through service life and into his later years, Bob made lasting friendships: Peter Pupetz and Rick Lelonde remained close throughout his life and lived close to him. Dan Lebarron and Terry Harkness maintained a long distance connection with occasional visits.

Bob cherished a close bond with his nephew Gary, who visited often to take in a local Hockey game and/or an Old Timers’ Hockey Tournament. This year his nephew Kevin played, so they were there at the arena cheering him on.

Fortunate and grateful to have children who loved him so dearly, and family gatherings throughout the years were frequent to celebrate important holidays and each other. Bob would be there beaming as he chatted with his children, grandchildren and extended family sharing his interesting tales of days gone by; these will be missed dearly.

Surviving, and passed loved ones:

Daughter: Kelly Orr (Craig Randle) - Grandchildren: Aleshia Orr (Michael), Liam Orr, Kira Randle - Canine fur-baby: Layla:

Daughter: Sandi Collins (Wynn-separated) - Grandson: Chase - Feline fur-baby: Knut:

Daughter: Dawn Landry (Manuel) - Canine fur-babies: Luna, Stella and Gemma:

Mother of Daughters: Barbara (Devoe) Denbow (John) .

Sister: Donna Ballance (Barry rip); Sons: Gary Ballance (Debbie); Kevin Ballance (Louise) Granddaughter: Mackenzie (Cory); Great-granddaughter Elaine; Grandson Owen.

Sister Helen Macialek (Ted); Daughter Lynn Rudniski (Brian); Granddaughters Danna (Darren); Alanna (Tim); Daughter - Lori Kaskiw (Wayne); Grand Daughter Brittany (Rip); Shane (Cathy); Grandson Keith (Riley).

Your life was huge and your love, pride and commitment for, and to, your children, grandchildren, family and friends was both paramount and reciprocal. Your passing has left a void in our hearts that cannot be filled until we meet again.

Rest In Peace