ROBERT BURNS

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ROBERT BURNS October 18, 1937 - June 30, 2014 Robert Burns died peacefully in the arms of his loving wife, Roberta, on June 30, 2014 at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg after a very hard fought battle with cancer. Robert is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Roberta (Greenfield), daughters Karen Mazur (Mace), Leslie Dodds (Graham), son Bobby (Karen), beloved granddaughters Cassidy, Cali, Ella, Jessy, Hanna and Megan, as well as his sister Sharon and her daughter Sinden, Rick and Sandy, sisters-in-law Margaret (Tom), Anne (Richard), brothers-in-law Don (Patricia), Bruce (Boris), and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Robert and Hilliare "Pat", and his sister Lynda. Robert was born in Ottawa but grew up a prairie kid in Prince Albert and Saskatoon. He and Roberta met in Saskatoon and were married in 1963. They lived in Saskatoon and Regina and in 1968 they moved to Winnipeg where he worked at Wilson's Furniture and later with Investors Group where he was a financial planner up until his retirement in 2003. Together he and Roberta built a life and a close family in Winnipeg. Highlights would have to include the summer holidays at Katepwa, the long car trips to the west coast and the memorable years living in the neighbourhood of Woodhaven in a humble "character home" complete with some good sized cracks in the walls, not to mention a few squirrels. A love of the Canadian Shield led to the purchase of a cabin on a lake in Ontario where he would spend every moment he could with Roberta once the snow cleared in the spring and until the cold days of late autumn. She was his best friend and lifelong companion. A wonderful and kindhearted man, Robert was at his absolute best at the cabin. From the day his first grandchild was born and for the rest of his life, "grand-parenting" was his favourite pastime. His children and grandchildren will forever hold dear the memories of their Grandpa. He made the best homemade pizza and pancakes and taught them all to cook, standing on chairs beside him. He involved them in repair or construction projects where they would often use tools normally meant for adults, not kids in diapers. Grandpa would take the girls for walks, boat rides, bottle drives/candy store trips, fishing and swimming. A dedicated fan, you could always count on seeing him at the girls' hockey, ringette and soccer games and music events. Among his grandchildren he was known for many things such as finding unique Christmas gifts, using homemade words nobody else had ever heard before, his fireworks, whistling and teaching them to drive a car. No matter the activity, it was all about fun and having laughs along the way. Away from their cabin, Robert and Roberta enjoyed life at their home in Winnipeg as well as their trips to Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Victoria, Savannah, North Carolina and Italy. Robert was always welcoming to anyone who came in his door and loved to hear the details of what the latest news was in your life. He would seek out the positive and the humorous in all situations. Images of him smiling and laughing (often to the point of silence, eyes watering) will be etched in our memories forever. As will be his quiet, humble demeanor; never wanting to talk much about himself. Instead, without throwing around a lot of compliments, he somehow had a way of convincing you that you could do anything you set your mind to. He was a true gentleman, loved dearly by his family and will be forever missed. A family celebration of Robert's life has taken place. Friends are very welcome to sign a book of condolences at nbardal.mb.ca NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 05, 2014