ROBERT (BOB) JAMES MICHAEL

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ROBERT (BOB) JAMES MICHAEL Robert Bob James Michael Fordyce, aged 78 died Monday, February 27 in his home in Dugald, Manitoba. Bob was born on September 6, 1933 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Hector and Angela Fordyce. He lived most of his life in Winnipeg and Dugald, MB. Bob started his working life early, leaving school as a young teen to work in the shipping room at Stalls, a garment company. He left this company after three years but as luck would have it he returned to Stall's some 14 years later to a position of product sales and development. Bob enjoyed a very fulfilling and successful career working in the garment industry for Stall's, which later became Sterling-Stall. His career afforded him the opportunity to travel the world. He visited many locations throughout Europe, China, Japan, Finland and several previously communist countries. Along with these travels he had many stories to share about his experiences, such as driving the autobahn, traveling through heavily armed border crossings or about the types of accommodations or culinary choices of each country. He has been known to advise, that you need to love what you do and he did. Robert married Irene Elizabeth Nehaj on September 12, 1959 and together they raised two children. Bob's wife Irene died tragically in January of 1995 and he retired shortly after. The lost was devastating but he coped and learned a whole new array of things. Although he was already well known for his great burgers, he became a great cook overall creating recipes off the cuff. He also spent many hours working on his garden and tending to his large yard, accompanied by his rather large companion, Yogi, a Bull Terrier. Retirement also allowed Bob opportunity to enjoy his grandchildren; whether he was watching their sporting activities, teaching them to fish, building them something or buying them something to keep them busy when they visited. For the past several years Bob battled with several medical conditions, he was known as a bit of a medical mystery. Many times it seemed like the end but he would battle back, not surprising as most know him to be determined and stubborn. Bob's guidance, advice and stories will be sorely missed by: his son, Craig and daughter-in-law Kim of Winnipeg and their children, Robert and Madison ; his daughter, Cindy and son-in-law Mark Lach of Shelburne, VT and their children, Stephanie, Jason and Colin; his siblings, Muriel Fordyce of Saskatoon, David and wife Marlene Fordyce of Okotoks, Penny and husband Bruce Anderson of Calgary and Terry and his wife Cindy Fordyce of Winnipeg; his niece and nephews; and his extended family and friends. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial is being planned for April followed by interment of both Robert and Irene, notice will be posted prior. Robert's family would like to thank the Doctors and Nurses of St. Boniface for their concerned care of Robert throughout the years, especially those in the Dialysis Unit. We encourage donations to the St. Boniface Hospital. Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. Dr. Seuss

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 14, 2012