April 30, 1944 - September 17, 2016
The family of Robert (Bob) Charles Holmes would like to announce his sudden passing on Saturday, September 17, 2016.
Bob is survived by his wife Ann, children Jeffrey (Michelle), Jonathan (Shannon), Becky (Steve) Birbilis, Miles (Meagan) and grandchildren Aidan, William, Maddox, Kate, Paxton, Bennett, Macie and Oliver, Jeffrey’s mother Donna, brothers-in-law Dereck and Jim and sister-in-law, Debbie.
Bob was born in Hull and raised by John and Mary Holmes (both deceased) in Toronto where he excelled in high jump and triple jump, earning an athletic scholarship to the University of Oregon … yes, Bob was a Duck! Early in his first year, he realized that being a Midget-aged record holder in Canada could not guarantee him a spot on the Duck athletic roster so he wisely converted his scholarship to academics earning a degree in Anthropology in 3.5 years with a 4.0 average. Bob and Donna moved to the Eastern USA where he spent a year doing post-graduate work at Brown, moving back to Toronto at the end of the year to begin his career in the insurance industry.
Jeffrey became a large part of their family and was welcomed with open arms when Bob and Ann started their family in 1977 with the birth of Jonathan, followed by Becky and then Miles, all within 32 months.
Living in small town Ontario, Bob travelled two hours each way from Oakwood to Toronto, through rain, sleet, snow, fog and sun, every day for nine years, bringing Jeffrey home to us on Friday and taking back on Monday morning for school and time with his Mom - what a joy it was to have one, two, three, then four children in our family.
In 1987, Bob was given the opportunity to become Senior Vice-President of Sullivan Payne Re-Insurance Company based out of Seattle. What an opportunity to be moving from a village of 500 people in a small town Ontario to a very busy, cultural city on the West Coast of the United States. Jeffrey visited us on holidays, enjoying all that this city had to offer including great skiing and major sporting events.
Re-locating the family back to Canada in 1991 was a family choice and Vernon appeared to meet the needs of a busy sport-oriented family. Bob retired in early 1992 and can likely be considered a long standing resident of Vernon. His bi-weekly luncheons with Jamie, Stan and Jimmy-the-hat were something he looked forward to.
With the arrival of grandchildren, he would say, “we should have had them first”. “Betcha a nickel” wagers on NFL and College Football games, watching kids’ sports, pick ups at daycare or school, filled his days with much delight. Involvement with his grandkids during his last 13 years and watching them grow into “little people” gave him a sense of satisfaction.
He was very proud of his family and their accomplishments and he loved them more than they will ever know. Bob, Dad, Grandpa/Papa … you will be missed and we know you will look over us and keep us safe. “You betchya”.
Thank you to Krista, Dale and the first responders and Leslie and staff at VJH Emergency.
Donations to Greater Vernon KidSport would be greatly appreciated in lieu of flowers (greatervernonkidsport.ca).
Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, September 21 at 3014 - 11th Street, Vernon anytime after 3 pm. Everyone is welcome.
Funeral arrangements have been made with BETHEL FUNERAL CHAPEL LTD., 5605-27th St., Vernon, B.C. V1T 8Z5 • 250-542-1187