Robert Ernest Cockram

We lost a very special man on September 13, 2019. We are heartbroken that he is gone, but we have so many wonderful memories and his peaceful passing with family and his best friend by his side was a true blessing. His 11 year struggle with cancer is thankfully over.

Very loved Husband of Jennifer Cockram (nee MacDuffie), Brother of Cecil Cockram (Mary), Gwen Koop (Rudy), brother in law of Glen MacDuffie (Lorrie)

Crazy Uncle of John-Mark Cockram (Loreli), Sarah Covey (Jason), David Cockram, Matthew Koop (Melanie) Brendan Koop (Jennifer), Dawn Matthew (Kevin), Scott MacDuffie (Jackie), Ian MacDuffie (Natasha), Robb MacDuffie,

Great Uncle of 20: Mallory, Sophia, Brody (McNally), Leo (Cockram); Gwyneth, Wesley, Edmund, Fraser (Covey); Katrina, Talia, Julianna, Nora, Elizabeth (Ellie) (Koop); Alanna, Kian (Matthew); Fletcher, Anora, Jinger, Kaylee, Kamden (Horne)(MacDuffie);

Bob was born in Loon Lake Saskatchewan to Leslie and May Cockram. His parents were missionaries so he spent his youth in Brazil and often surprised people when he understood and could converse with them in Portuguese. Around the age of 13 he went to live in Alberta with the Jessperson Family in order for him to attend school. After his Dad’s stroke, the family moved to Richmond Hill and has remained in the GTA area for most of his life.

He had several different careers from a technical business analyst to a tool and die maker to helping his brother Cec with his Contracting business, but the work he enjoyed the most was with the golf courses in the area marshalling at Bathurst Glen, Meadowbrook and Diamond Back because these were outside activities.

He was a man of integrity with a love for life and the great outdoors. Whether that be canoeing, golfing, skiing, sailing or just walking in the woods, the outdoors was his happy place and if it was near water even better.

Skiing was how he met Jenny. In the early 1970s at North Toronto Ski Club. Yes Bob was the cute ski instructor. Their first date happened because of a cancelled ski bus trip through the club. Bob called to see if Jenny wanted to go skiing anyway. Little did Jenny know this was actually a date. Bob had brought lunch and a bottle of wine. Their relationship progressed but Bob also had a sailboat and yikes Jenny had never sailed before. If they were to be together then she would have to learn. On one of their first trips they were coming into the dock and Bob told Jenny to jump. “It’s too far” she said and he yelled “JUMP” so she did - right into the water. She came up laughing and said if he wanted help with docking the boat, he would have to learn to steer the boat closer to the dock. They dated for 5 years before Bob finally popped the question. They were married on May 2, 1981. Not a dry eye in the church. “It’s about time” everyone said.

Bob taught skiing at Georgian Peaks Ski Club for over 25 years. He specialized in little kids under the age of 5. You could often see Bob coming down the ski hill (always without a hat) with 2 or 3 little ones hanging on or between his legs. He used to tell the parents “if they don’t LOVE skiing they won’t want to race”. Jenny joined the Ski Patrol too and weekends were spent skiing in the winter and sailing in the summer. It was a busy time but they met a lot of great people who remain friends today.

Bob and Jenny have a large extended family. With no children of their own, spoiling nieces and nephews was in the cards. Sailing on Uncle Bob’s boat or having him teach them to ski was something that Bob thrived on. He wanted to show them the outdoors was a great place to be. Bob also had a wicked sense of humour which often brought a great deal of groaning from nieces and nephews and if you have heard his jokes you’ll know what this means. He loved it.

Family get togethers, Birthdays, Weddings etc things were going along well until in August of 2008 Bob was diagnosed with a rare Thymoma Cancer. He spent 6 months in hospital. It was a difficult time but they had a goal. Jenny’s nephew Scott was getting married to Jackie, but the Wedding was in Cuba. Bob was determined he was going to be there. When the doctor said I don’t think he should travel, Jenny said “Well Bob wants to be there so we are going to make that happen. What do we need to do?” And Bob got the ok just days before leaving.

His health improved enough for him to train for the Ride to Conquer Cancer for Princess Margaret Hospital which he did with his good friend Kathleen. Things stabilized for a while, but 5 years later the cancer came back. A round of chemo and the doctors were able to keep it at bay for a long time but in the last 6 weeks his health was declining. He had a great visit with his best friend Paul from Vancouver the weekend before he died and then he steadily declined. He was ready.

He will be missed but we know he is now at peace.

Thank you for joining the family today to say Goodbye to a remarkable man.

Rest in Peace Bob, Robert, Brother Bob, Brother-in-law Bob, Uncle Bob, Great Uncle Bob, friend Bob.