ROBERT ALEXANDER SULLIVAN

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ROBERT ALEXANDER SULLIVAN
February 29, 1926 – December 7, 2020

With sad hearts, the family announces his passing into the eternal life he believed in as a Roman Catholic and ardent supporter of the faith.
He leaves behind his wife of 68 years, Erna Sullivan (Zoller) and an impressive legacy of seven children, 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, with one more on the way. Robert (Bob) loved Erna with all his heart and tried, valiantly, to stay with her to the end of their days. He leaves to mourn his children, Robert Sullivan Jr. (Margaret),
Carol Fehr (Wayne), Tom Sullivan (Pamela), Maureen Sutherland (Grant), Colleen Snyder (Tom), Barbara Backland (Leon) and Joan Halayko (Paul).
Bob was born in Saskatoon and spent most of his life in Winnipeg. He was a prairie man – forthright, hardworking, and devoted to his wife, family and his country. He was himself one of eight children and is survived by his youngest sister Anne Master (Sullivan) of Minnesota. Family gatherings were large,
extended and most certainly, Irish. Bob
welcomed all his sons and daughters-in-law to the dinner table and fed them all, loved them all because they loved his children.
From 1944 to 1946, Bob served in the
Canadian Army. Bob did not talk about his wartime experience, as was his way.
Bob was sworn into the Canadian Army on September 9, 1944 at No. 10 Military District Depot, Winnipeg Manitoba, six months after his 18th birthday. On enlistment, he was
given the rank of Private and was trained as an Infantry soldier. When discharged from the Army on May 14, 1946, he held the rank of Lance Sergeant, being groomed for further command and promotion, but no longer
required due to the end of the Second World War. His service record from the Canadian Army Militia showed that he continued to serve with the Army after his discharge as a member of the militia, more recently
referred to as an "Army Reservist". His
service record indicates he completed
training for the years of 1954 to 1957, and part of 1958. His discharge from the Militia is dated February 13, 1958, a few months before the birth of his fourth child.
Bob worked as a policeman, a small
business owner and then a public servant with the Manitoba government up to his
retirement. Bob helped people his entire life. His children and grandchildren follow in his footsteps devoted to public service as nurses, law enforcement officers, firemen,
paramedics, teachers, small business owners, entrepreneurs, tradespeople, IT professionals and advisors and what made him proudest - parents. Bob and Erna's legacy endures in ways neither one ever considered.
Bob made sure all his children could swim, even though he himself could not. The family spent summers at Camp Morton, Dorothy Lake and toured Lake of the Woods on a 40-foot pontoon houseboat before anyone else found that paradise and swam at all the best empty beaches. Bob's love of the outdoors has been shared with every generation.
Many summers were spent at the trailer at Pye's Landing, Ontario. His grandchildren visited often and together they enjoyed
eating, swimming, fishing and talking. It was a simple way to connect, be happy and make memories that are so precious to them all.
His grandchildren remember him as
loving, both a sympathetic listener and a
teacher. They remember him as resilient, faithful and family focused. They attribute their own values of hard work and fair play to their grandfather.
Bob has laced up his well-worn Rockport shoes and walked down the old highway one last time.
His family thanks the staff at Sterling House Assisted Living Residence and, in
particular, the nurses at the Grace Hospital who cared for Bob with such compassion
during his final days.
Due to Covid19 restrictions, a Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
As an expression of sympathy, please
donate to the Canadian Red Cross Emergency Covid Relief Fund.

For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit www.chapellawn.ca

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home
204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 12, 2020