ROBERT (BOB) JOHN BENINGER

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ROBERT (BOB) JOHN BENINGER It is with great sorrow that I announce the passing of my Dad, Robert (Bob) John Beninger, on February 24, 2008, at his residence at Fellburn Care Centre. He was predeceased by his wife Patricia Beninger, parents Lou and Annie Beninger and baby brother. Left to mourn his passing is his daughter Sharon Molnar (Mike), granddaughter Elizabeth Skrypnyk (Dan), sister Evelyn Westerby, nieces and nephew, Marilyn Westerby, (Alan), Sharon Thomas, Chris Westerby, and many cousins and relatives across Canada. Robert was born in Chappel, Ontario (near Emo, Ontario), on December 12, 1925, growing up on a farm that his parents had pioneered. As a young boy, he belonged to the 4-H Club and loved to show cattle at the fairs. In 1939 at the Barwick Ontario Rural Fair, he was presented with the T. Eaton Company award for having the highest points in the boy's agriculture class. Leaving home at an early age, he headed for Toronto where he found work but shortly after, he decided this wasn't for him and headed back home. Towards the latter part of the war he joined the Air Force. Robert was a long standing member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He began his career working for the C.N.R. as a brakeman and later became a conductor for some 35 years until his retirement. Living and working in Winnipeg, he met his soon to be wife Pat Crawford and her daughter Sharon. They were married on June 16, 1962. Bob's hunger for knowledge, missing out on a good education early in his years, his goal was to learn and study everything he could. He soon became a great scholar, all self taught. It was amazing. He even dabbled in politics. He ran for the Manitoba NDP party leader in his riding of St. Boniface in the late 1960s and won. He loved all sports, but was very active in fishing and hunting, reading and all current affairs. After his retirement in 1982, Bob decided he had enough of the Manitoba cold weather and moved him and his wife to Vancouver where they have lived ever since. Bob became sick in the late 1990s and in 1996 had to be moved to Fellburn Care Centre where he lived till his passing. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was a man of integrity, a man who lived and let live, but most of all, he was a good husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and cousin and we loved him dearly. Your time of rest and peace has come. May the good Lord shine upon you forever. The family would like to extend their gratitude to all the staff at Fellburn for their years of care for Robert and to Ted Beninger and family who took care of my parents needs when I was unable to. A graveside service will take place on Thursday, February 28, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at Ocean View Funeral Home, 4000 Imperial Street, Burnaby, BC.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 27, 2008