BENNIE, Robert Dobinson
Bob passed away peacefully at the Chemainus Health Care Centre on April 7, 2012, at the age of 89. Predeceased by his brothers Charlie and Earl, Bob is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Mary; son John (Karen) Bennie; daughter Susan (Lyle) Boffy; grandchildren Kyle, Alan, Charlie, Jamie, Andrew and Dale; sisters-in-law Irene and Joyce; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Bob was born in Cedar District on June 6, 1922. In his youth, Bob excelled at soccer and particularly lacrosse, where he played Senior “A” lacrosse for the Nanaimo Native Sons and became known as “Buck” Bennie. Bob joined the B.C. Telephone Company in 1938, working as a journeyman lineman, district maintenance man, and eventually retiring as a construction supervisor in 1980.
Bob and Mary married in Nanaimo in 1945, and enjoyed a full and wonderful life together. Bob was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, and fisherman. The freezer was always full of game meat and seafood. Bob also enjoyed playing bridge, as well as golf at the Mount Brenton Golf Club, where he served terms as the greens superintendent and president. Bob served the community as a long-time member of both the Chemainus Chamber of Commerce and the Chemainus Rotary Club. Summers with the family were spent at the cabin on Comox Lake.
In retirement, Bob and Mary spent time travelling, camping, at “the lake”, and golfing truly a “life well lived”.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Paul Manhas and all of the staff of the Chemainus Health Care Centre for their kindness and special care to Bob. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at the Mount Brenton Golf Club on Saturday, April 21, 2012, from 2 pm to 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to Parkinson Society Canada, 316 – 4211 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M2P 2A9.