Robert Harold Mansfield

It is with great sadness that the family of Robert Harold Mansfield of Winnipeg, Manitoba, announces his passing on Friday, October 30th, 2015. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Leone, his children Jim and Laurel; his sister, Jean Winters and her children Craig [Ezzy], Caren [Lionel], and Cathy; and his brothers, Gerald, and his children Macen, Cordell, and Curtis, and their mother Alice; Ernie [Donna] and their children Jeff and Shawna; and Don [Bernadette] and their daughter Marla; and his many cousins, nieces and nephews on both his and Leone’s side of the family.

Bob was born on October 26th, 1931, in Dauphin, MB, to Marjorie Madella Estella (nee Lintick) and Harold Russell Mansfield. Bob enjoyed his childhood in Dauphin and was proud to let people know it was his hometown. He enjoyed reminding his children that from the age of 6 he had always had a job. His earliest jobs included delivering and selling newspapers, shining shoes, delivering bread with his sleigh, setting pins at the bowling alley, and gathering scrap metal during the war – anything to earn a few pennies so he could attend Saturday afternoon movies at the Gay Theatre. Bob was a graduate of Dauphin Collegiate, played on its football team, and was proudly named to its 20-year all-star team. He married his high school sweetheart (and Dauphin Collegiate cheerleader), Leone, on August 18th, 1956.

Following brief careers as a telegrapher and as clerk for the Town of Dauphin, Bob decided to become an accountant. After completion of his studies he was admitted as a member of the Manitoba Institute of Chartered Accountants. In 1960 Bob and Leone moved to Winnipeg. Not long after their move Bob joined The Great-West Life Assurance Company where he happily remained until his retirement in 1991. After his retirement, Bob and Leone enjoyed many warm winters together in Mesa, Arizona. Summers, though, were reserved for their cottage at Victoria Beach, the site of many happy memories for Bob, Leone and their family.

Bob and Leone had two children, James Robert and Laurel Elaine, whom they raised in the family home on Cabot Crescent in Winnipeg. Bob was a loving and devoted father. He was an active supporter and keen fan of all of his children’s activities. This included, among other things, serving as the assistant coach and manager for Jim’s hockey and Laurel’s ringette teams. Bob loved children and they loved him back. He was a favourite of the neighbourhood kids, and he developed a special bond with his nieces and nephews. No matter where he was, and no matter how old he was, Bob was always ready to take time out to have some fun; there always seemed to be a small child coming around to ask “can Bob come out and play?”, and the invariable answer was , “Yes”.

Bob was also an active volunteer in many different community initiatives and organizations. This included serving on the Board of Directors for the Central and St. Vital YMCA; on the Board of Governors for the University of Manitoba; on the Executive and as President of the Riel Progressive Conservative Association; on the Boards of St. Vital United Church and Norberry Community Club; and as a member on many insurance industry committees. He lived his life in keeping with one of his favourite sayings: “You get things done by doing them.”

Bob said that he enjoyed watching or playing anything that had a score to it, and that was absolutely true. He enjoyed every kind of sport. He took up running in 1960 for recreation and as a means of keeping fit, which led to many successful marathons and half-marathons. He ran his last marathon at 55, but at the age of 81 he was still enthusiastically running 3-5 miles several times a week. He loved curling and golf. After his retirement Bob enjoyed a great deal of time on the curling rink and golf course – and never enjoyed that time more (and was never more competitive) than when there were a few quarters wagered on the outcome!

During the last years of his life Bob struggled with dementia. Characteristically, Bob refused to give in to this terrible disease, and he fought against it valiantly with all his strength. He found great comfort in the loving care given to him by his wife, Leone, who was by his side when Bob’s fight finally ended on October 30. Bob hoped, and his family hopes, that he will be remembered not only for the brave fight he put up against his disease in recent years, but especially as an energetic, vibrant, active and caring man who lived a long, happy and productive life full of good humour and a deep love for his family and many friends.

In honour of Bob a Celebration of Life service will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 14th at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.