Robert "Ringo" Kirkey

Survived and greatly missed by his wife of 40 years, Bert Kirkey married on June 18th, 1983. Father to Steve (Shima), Jayla (Scott) and Kenny (Nelly). Grandfather of Riley, Raury, Riann, Roeann and Karter.

Siblings and their partners and children

Brothers - Eugene, Kevin & Joey.

Sisters - Kelli, Sherry, Bonnie, Jody Lezard, Jean Sanford, Alice & Agnes Tanaka

Sibling In Laws Alynn, Randy, Karen, Leslie, Jodi, Carl, Dave, Norm, Tony.

Many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by mother Pearl, father Romeo (Helen), daughter Stephanie, brother Kenny, sister Wendy.

Friends who were considered family

Lindy & Meredith, Jenny & Kevin, Micah, Kevin Widdifield, Khem and family, Teena, Karter's mom Maggie.... the list goes on and on.

Also predeceased by his brother from another mother, Daniel Dufresne - Doofy. They left us on the same day a year apart and Robb's last words to Doofy were "See you on the other side brother".

Robb touched so many hearts and changed so many lives in his short 62 years and the hole and the legacy he leaves behind is massive. Just like his laugh… just like his personality… and just like his heart. He had a heart of gold and would make friends and leave a mark on everyone he met.

Robb had many friends from Englehart, all the way back to the days they called them the Town Hall Steppers.

He loved playing sports from baseball and ball hockey to curling and he spent time coaching hockey and baseball when he was younger.

He was president of the Union at Grant Waferboard Plant where he loved his workmates and was passionate about his role.

Took parental leave when Kenny was born in 1992, the same year he started his windshield repair business.

In 1995 he took his kids out of school and the whole family headed west to attend their dear friends Lindy & Meredith's wedding in British Columbia and it was that trip that he fell in love with the mountains and western Canada. That trip is filled with some of the families best memories that they all cherished and reminisced. The soundtrack of that trip is Jim Matt, his cousin's album that the family listened to on repeat.

Moved to southern Ontario for 10 years where he got into Car Sales in New Hamburg.

Later on, he had an opportunity to move outside of Ottawa to work at Canadian Tire in the Automotive Department so the whole family relocated. In 2 short years he managed to make it the #1 store in Canada.

From there the same colleague who convinced him to move to Ottawa, Steven Vorgess, convinced Robb to move out to Alberta.

Moved out to Edmonton in 2007 with Steven and was followed 6 months later by Bert, Kenny and Jayla.

Through his many jobs over the years he eventually found his love of driving trucks.

Starting working for Road Runner Transit and after so many years of searching he finally had a wonderful company that admired and appreciated him. His boss Albert not only showed up for Robb, he also showed up for his his family the weeks following his passing. This is a true testament to the impact Robb had at the company and the great working relationship he had with Albert, his wife Teneta and many others at Road Runner including Amanda.

While out west he was also mentored by Bill & Janice Kerr which meant the world to him.

His number one job that he loved more than anything was being a Father and a Grandfather. He took so much pride in helping his son Steve who is a single Dad raise his 4 beautiful children with Bert in Parkland County, Alberta.

He often said that he wouldn't have traded it for anything in the world.

Karter was also the apple of his eye.

Kenny and his family moved nearby a few months before Robb's passing, a 5 minute walk or a 1 minute ride on the bike and Robb was stopping by frequently and loved having everyone living so close to each other.

He was so proud of Steven for starting a new career and going after his Class 1 license, of Kenny for completing his Journeyman working on Zamboni's and Jayla for her success with her music career. Robb and the boys loved to ride motorcycles together and the last thing he did was go for a ride with Kenny and the last call he made was to insure Steve on a new bike.

To his many friends that had a special place in his life though they didn't speak all the time when they were reunited they could always pick up right where they left off.

Thank you for your friendship. He loved you all.

His nephew Michael worded it perfectly when he said "Robb was a giant among men."

"See you on the other side."

The family invites you to attend the Online Service, Friday August 2, 2024 at 12:00pm EST/ 10:00am MST.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82157332628