ROBERT BRUCE CONNER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ROBERT BRUCE CONNER 1924 - 2012 Robert Bruce (Bob) Conner passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Thunder Bay, Ontario at the age of 88 years, following a lengthy illness. Bob is survived by his twin sister, Betty Wilkinson of Ladysmith, British Columbia and one brother, Jim Conner (Isobel) of Morden, Manitoba. Bob is fondly remembered by his brother-in-law, Allen McCulloch, his nephews and nieces, Bob McCulloch (Nancy), Judith McCulloch, Joan Bowman (Randy), Pat Oxby (Barry), Ross Conner (Amy), Ann Lawlor (Don) and Jim Wilkinson, and many great-nieces and nephews, including Lindsay and Madison McCulloch (with whom he shared many family celebrations over the years). He is also survived by his special friend, hospital visitor and advocate, Barbara Hamilton, of Kakabeka Falls, Ontario. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Conner of Morden, Manitoba, his brothers, Archie, Donald, and Thomas, and his sisters, Laura Ross, Kathleen Gawley, Lesley Jones and Dorothy McCulloch. Bob was born in Morden where he attended Maple Leaf School and completed his education earning Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from the University of Manitoba. He joined the R.C.A.F. in 1943 and served until 1945. Bob was an educator for all of his working life and he taught in the Red Lake, Ontario district for his entire teaching career. Bob was an active member of the Red Lake community since 1948. He attended the Red Lake United Church (and would, on occasion, perform services when the church was without a minister). He was also a faithful member of their church choir. Bob was a founding member of the Red Lake and District Association for Community Living, played a role provincially and regionally on the Board for Community Living Ontario and was also a founding member of the Harmony Centre for Community Living in Red Lake. Bob was a very strong advocate for disabled individuals within the community, ensuring that all their needs were being met through local or regional programs and agencies. He was a part of the Pioneer Club for Seniors, assisted in transporting seniors and served the Red Lake Non Profit Housing Board in helping to establish housing units in the Red Lake area. Bob also was an active member of many other local groups in Red Lake including the Long Term Care Committee, the Patricia Centre for Children and Youth Board of Directors, the Retired Teachers Federation, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Terry Fox Run and the Royal Canadian Legion. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at St. Joseph's Hospital (Two North) in Thunder Bay for the kindness, respect and wonderful care given to Bob for his five years as a patient there. A memorial service will be held at Wiebe Funeral Chapel, 1050 Thornhill St. in Morden, Manitoba, on Saturday, August 18 at 2:00 p.m. Bob coordinated the Daffodils Cancer program for many years in Red Lake so,en in lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, a donation may be made in Bob's memory to CancerCare in your area. Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden In care of arrangemts, 204-822-4755 wiebefuneralhomes.com

Make a donation to

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 04, 2012