Mr. Robert Milford Martin

It is with immeasurable sadness that we grieve the passing of our loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. On Thursday February 28, 2013, Bob left a life he lived and loved to the fullest, after a valiant struggle with heart disease. He has now joined his beloved son Benjamin in heaven. He was also predeceased by his brother, Joseph Martin, and his parents, Ellen and Joseph Martin.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife and one true love, Joan, whom he adored. His three daughters: Jennifer (Jack), Mary (Alf) and Elizabeth (Edwin), grieve the loss of a wise and wonderful father that always saw his glass half full. He will be sadly missed by his grand and great-grand children, Melanie (Kris), Ethan, Kaila, Michael, Mel (Scott), Hunter, Joshua, Emily, Kristian and Rachel.

Bob was born on October 13, 1927 and raised in the midlands of England. He spent a happy childhood with one brother Joseph and loving parents. As a young man, he served in the R.A.F. in the Middle East and North Africa-maintaining aircraft to keep his friends in the sky as safe as possible. He moved to Canada, following his education and experience in the U.K. He met Joan and it was truly love at first sight. They settled in Winnipeg where Bob began his electronic sales and service business as Martins Home Appliance – then Red Top TV. He was always most comfortable in a suit and tie. Hard work and perseverance are qualities that will be remembered in his legacy.

Bob, alongside his wife Joan, brought the organization Compassionate Friends to Canada here in Winnipeg, after the loss of their son Ben to leukemia in 1976. Together they reached out to many bereaved parents, coordinating support groups for others who had lost children. The Compassionate Friends continue to meet these needs to this day across Canada.

After many years selling and repairing electronics Bob shifted his energy to selling real estate in Winnipeg. This line of work led him to Calgary in 1981. He loved sales and he loved people, always seeing the best in them.

During free time, Bob enjoyed classical music, reading, research and gardening. He counted insomnia as a gift because it was an opportunity to listen to his short wave radio all night. It was in Calgary that Bob began a new successful business called Wind-C-Kers Discovery Shoppes along with his wife Joan. Children would sometimes point to him and happily say, “The Wind-C-Ker Man.”

Following years of hard work, the couple moved to Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island to enjoy their well earned retirement, the ocean, the weather, gardening, beach walks and their puppy Sang. Bob was loved and had many friends at Qualicum’s “Old School House” art gallery where he volunteered.

Bob enjoyed the last three years of his life in Winnipeg, where he and Joan made the Canoe Club their home and made more wonderful friends. One of the highlights for Bob in 2012 was receiving his Canadian Citizenship in a private and lovely ceremony in the library at the Canoe Club, after living and working in Canada for 60 years.

His memory will be cherished in the hearts of everyone who was privileged to know and love this gentle man.

A private funeral and ceremony has taken place. An open “Celebration of Life” will be held for Bob at the Canoe Club, 40 Dunkirk Drive in Winnipeg on Monday March 11th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to the amazingly wonderful team of palliative nurses who cared for Bob at home and also during his short term stay at Riverview Health Center. We could not have made it without them.

If so desired, donations can be made in Bob’s memory to the Riverview Health Center, 1 Morley Ave, Winnipeg - Palliative Care Unit.