ROBERT (BOB) BRIAN PARNELL

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ROBERT (BOB) BRIAN PARNELL

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Brian Parnell, on July 4, 2025, at St Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, at the age of 72.

Bob is predeceased by his parents, Harold and Marie Parnell. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Judy, son Ryan (Laura), two grandchildren Norah and Tristan, brother Doug, nephews Brian (Agnes), Jeff, Leanna (Greg), and so many other family and friends.

Bob was born on September 30, 1952, the second of two sons born to Harold and Marie in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In his early life, he excelled at athletics, particularly in cycling and speed skating. As a young man, Bob was a competitive speedskater and raced across Canada and Europe, becoming the Canadian Junior Speedskating Champion. His competitive and adventurous spirit attracted him to the aviation industry, and he left Winnipeg to fly bush planes in northern Canada.

After many years flying bush planes in the Arctic, Bob saw that Air Canada was hiring, so he trimmed his huge mustache, cut his long hair, and rushed down to Edmonton for the interview. Bob got the job, and it was time for a new adventure, flying around the world. During his time with Air Canada, Bob piloted various equipment and ended his career as Captain of the massive Boeing 777. Many of his Air Canada colleagues became lifelong friends.

It was while working at Air Canada, on a layover in Edmonton, that Bob first met a young flight attendant named Judy. It was the fall of 1984, and Bob knew he had met the person he wanted to share his adventures with. The two of them traveled extensively, from the French Alps to the Yukon, and they explored the world. They were married on May 24, 2003, at Pinewood Lodge in Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba.

If aviation was Bob’s first passion, the second would be the lake, and for him, the lake was the Whiteshell. His grandfather had built a cabin on Dorothy Lake in the 1950s, and Bob had spent summers there since childhood. This lifelong attraction led to owning cabins on Dorothy Lake, Golden Acres, Barrier Bay, Nutimik Lake, and in the spring of 2005, Nutimik Lodge. With his wife Judy, Bob operated the lodge for ten years and became well known in the Whiteshell community. Even after selling the lodge, Bob continued to live in a cabin at Nutimik Lake for several years, frequenting many campfires and BBQs. He will be missed by so many from this community, with whom he has raised a rum and Coke, told stories, and solved all the world's problems.

The last years of Bob’s life were very difficult, as he struggled with the symptoms of late-stage Parkinson's Disease. For the last year, he had resided at Kildonan Personal Care home in Winnipeg, where he touched the hearts of many staff with his quick wit and good humor. Even though his stay was brief, Bob made some close friends at Kildonan who will miss him deeply.

There are plans for a celebration of life to take place at the family cabin at Barrier Bay in the Whiteshell Provincial Park on September 27, 2025. More details will be forthcoming. An interment will be held with close friends and family the following day at Roseau River Community Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s memory to Parkinson Canada: https://www.parkinson.ca/get-involved/personal-giving/

Arrangements entrusted to:

Crossings Funeral Care

Steinbach, Manitoba

(204) 326-7203

www.crossingsfuneralcare.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 12, 2025