> Details

Advanced Search:


Regular Search
❮ Go Back to Listings
ROBERT (BOB) GILBERT BATTIGELLI Obituary pic

ROBERT (BOB) GILBERT BATTIGELLI

Date of Passing: Jul 25, 2013

Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ROBERT (BOB) GILBERT BATTIGELLI July 25, 2013 was the last time we held Bob's strong loving hands, never wanting to let go, holding on to many family memories and traditions he preserved so carefully with those hands. Every moment from the sunrise to moonrise, Bob will be remembered and cherished by his loving wife Betty, daughters Deborah and Colleen (Garry), grandchildren Robert and Breanne, brother Dennis, special nieces and nephews, and other family and friends. Born on May 19, 1937 to Guerino (Garon) and Catherine Battigelli, Bob quickly found his first love - the lake - where he began working with his hands at the family log cabin and exploring nature with his lifelong childhood friends. After finding his second love of his life - Betty - he quickly learned that four hands are better than two, and combined his two loves by going to the lake every weekend with his family - winter, spring, summer and fall. Bob found the best of all worlds when he retired early after 32 years with MTS and built his lake home with a secure foundation as deep as the bedrock at Ingolf. As Bob's hands would never sit idle, he started his own company called Bob's Lakeside Improvements, where he built cabins, designed fine cabinetry, installed plumbing and electrical, and fixed almost anything that moved. Bob loved reading and had a library of fix-it manuals that were partnered with a line-up of motors and vehicles he could be found repairing on rainy days. To preserve the beauty of the lake for future generations, Bob volunteered his time and expertise with the Ingolf Campers' Association for over 50 years and was instrumental in the development of the community infrastructure and campers' hall, where many special memories were made with fellow campers. Above all, he found deep satisfaction in teaching his grandchildren the many life lessons that would help make their life easier. The devotion and compassion from Dr. Laferriere, Dr. Beveridge, Dr. Wehner, Dr. Anthes, Dr. Simpson, and their dedicated oncology, palliative care and nursing staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital and Lake of the Woods District Hospital gave Bob and his family the confidence to fight his last life challenge, for which he and his family will forever be grateful. In lieu of flowers, it is graciously requested that donations be made in Bob's memory to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation. A Tribute to Bob's Life will be held at the Ingolf Campers Hall at Ingolf, Ontario on Saturday, August 10 with a service starting at 2:00 p.m. followed by a reception until 5:00 p.m. Alcock Funeral Home 1-888-472-5955
Publish Date: Aug 3, 2013

ROBERT (BOB) GILBERT BATTIGELLI Bob loved being at the lake with his family and friends and devoted his talents of exploring, inventing and building to preserve the beauty of the lake for future generations. He believed if you work hard at what you love, you will succeed at anything and conquer any challenge. The hardest and last challenge he fought to conquer was that of cancer. Despite his bravery, strength and tenacity to stay longer with his family and friends, it is with deep sadness that we announce Bob passed away Thursday, July 25, 2013 with his family close to his heart. Bob and his family received the best of care from the doctors and nurses at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital and the Lake of the Woods District Hospital. In lieu of flowers, it is graciously requested that donations be made in Bob's name to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital. Full obituary and memorial details to follow.
Publish Date: Jul 27, 2013

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 03, 2013

Condolences & Memories (17 entries)

  • Goodbye Uncle Bob. - Posted by: Unknown (Niece) on: Apr 21, 2014

  • We were very sorry to hear the news from Art. We had many happy times together, the four of us watching our girls grow up and then along came John. He could paint anything with a popsicle. I am very thankful that Bob introduced Don to cabin life as we now live in ours at Turtle lake, Sk. We have many happy memories of you four at the lake and at home. Love to you all. - Posted by: Don and Eleanor Holstein (Good friends from way back.) on: Aug 12, 2013

  • Dear Colleen, My thoughts are with you and your family now and always. I would like to be able to attend the service on Saturday but unfortunately won't be able to get there. Please give everyone a hug for me. C - Posted by: Colleen Einarson Rand (Friend) on: Aug 08, 2013

  • We are so saddened to hear of Bob's passing. What started out as a business relationship while purchasing our lot on Black Sturgeon, ended up being a true friendship. I always enjoyed our conversations and had the utmost respect for Bob as a business and family man..I am privileged to have known him and will always remember him as we pull on to Battigelli drive each time to spend time at the lake preserving and building our memories. He will always hold a special place in our hearts! Eric & Jenny Dodd - Posted by: Eric & Jenny Dodd & family (Friends) on: Aug 07, 2013

  • A few days before Bob's passing we were driving out to the Pickerel lake area in quest of blueberries. We had been speaking of Bob and decided to dedicate our day to him...fittingly so, the sun was brilliant, the bush smelled of healthy strong trees and the berries were plentiful. We knew how much he would have loved this experience. We will miss this gentle honourable man and were so grateful to have spent some time with Bob and Betty in our winter haven, in Yuma. Our strength is drawn from beautiful memories. May they sustain you Betty ...sent with our kindest thoughts to the family. - Posted by: Ralph Wilson and Darlene McCutchon (Friends) on: Aug 05, 2013

  • So sorry for the loss to the Battigelli family. Bob will be missed. He did so much for the community. Wish we had spent more time with him but he was such a busy person with family and his life works that there never seemed to be enough opportunity. - Posted by: Roy & Tanyss Ward (Ingolf Camper) on: Aug 04, 2013

  • Dear Betty and Family: We were very sorry to hear that Bob has passed away and would like to extend our deepest sympathy. We will always remember the good times we had when you visited our neighbours Art and Helen Metz at Tannis Lake. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. - Posted by: Jim and Alice Sisler (Friends from Tannis Lake) on: Aug 03, 2013

  • So sorry to hear of Bob's passing. Since moving from the area, our visits to Ingolf have been all too infrequent but were never complete without a visit to you and Bob. You both form a large part of our pleasant memories of the Lake. I know how much Bob gave to the community, which is very much the better for his being a part of it. Please keep well and look after yourself. - Posted by: Ron and Penny Bush (Friends) on: Aug 02, 2013

  • Sorry to hear about Bob's passing. I worked with Bob for many years at MTS, the Vernon Exchange. Bob was talented, wonderful to work with and I am flooded with memories of the times spent working under Bob, as an apprentice, and along side him as a journeyman. A smile comes to my face as I remember some of the jokes and pranks we pulled. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob's family. - Posted by: Andrew and Maryanne Dolenuk (worked with Bob at MTS.) on: Aug 01, 2013

  • I'm saddened to hear of Mr. Battigelli's passing. I remember as a young boy being at the lake helping Mr. Battigelli and Mr. Roberstson install the very first telephone system to ten cottages in our bay. This involved trucking cable through the bush, underwater submarine runs with a mid point splice done from a canoe. I'm sure this experience helped influence my decision to pursue a 22 year career with MTS. I'm still digging up pieces of that old cable and it still looks as good as new!! Bob's dedication to the lake community of Ingolf/Long Pine Lake will certainly be part of his legacy. He will be missed and always remembered. Our family is praying for you. Len & Janet Dacombe - Posted by: Len Dacombe (Fellow Ingolfer) on: Aug 01, 2013

  • Dearest Betty and family, you are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Bob was an awesome person and was always a pleasure to be with at the lake! His life is a legacy of great memories for you and your family to cherish forever! - Posted by: John Harris and Family (Family Friends) on: Jul 31, 2013

  • Betty I am shocked to hear of Bob's passing. We had so many good times at curling (I am one of the many 'Bobs' that curled with Les) At work and at the lake Bob always had a great smile and a cheerful outlook, except for the curling fees. I didn't know he was in the Kenora hospital as we would have visited him on our weekends at the lake. - Posted by: Bob Bull (Co-worker and curling team member) on: Jul 29, 2013

  • Dear Betty and family. I heard about Bob's passing last week; and the lake got just a little bit quieter. It's a difficult time but please know that both individually and as a community we're here to help out wherever we can. Ingolf is synonymous with the family name Battigelli and Bob is much loved and will be missed. Please take care and know that you're all held in my heart today. - Posted by: Giselle Schween (Lake friend and neighbour) on: Jul 29, 2013

  • Many thoughts of sympathy... May Beautiful Memories, give you strength at this difficult time. Veronica Sichewski ..on behalf of THE MTS VOLUNTEERS - Posted by: veronica sichewski () on: Jul 28, 2013

  • Our sincere condolences to Betty and family. We knew Bob from our cottage time at Tannis Lake. He was a true gentleman and skillful craftsman and helped make our cottage a beautiful place to be. We could always call Bob with any question about cottage life or what was happening in the area and he would always have an answer. He is an individual who made a difference and he will be missed - Posted by: Ken and Dianne Trinkl (Friends) on: Jul 27, 2013

  • Betty and family we were so sorry to hear of Bob's passing from Anne Lyon. We knew that he was not doing well but knowing his strength of will and love of life we hoped that he would again come through it. That was not to be and we will miss him dearly. He was a good friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. - Posted by: Rick and Sandy Harling (Friend) on: Jul 27, 2013

  • Dear Betty and Girls, I was so very sorry to hear about Bob's passing away. So very sad for all of you. That cancer is such a terrible thing to get as we well remember when Lisa had Brain Cancer. It is such a fight and I would guess it was for Bob also. I have very good memories of Bob with his wide smile and always happy looking no matter what. We remember the good times at the cottage when you and Bob would work so hard to make things so nice for everyone. There is so many loving things to remember of you both. Hoping you will always have great memories of your life together and draw from those times the strength to go on. We also have our Faith in God and his promises to us to draw from. Thinking of you with caring and love Lynn - Posted by: Lynn Newlin (Solylo) (Old friend) on: Jul 27, 2013

❮ Go Back to Listings