ROBERT (BOB) HENLEY

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ROBERT (BOB) HENLEY Peacefully on April 14, 2018, at Middlechurch Home, Bob passed away, with family at his side. Bob was born at home on Gallagher Avenue in Weston on September 4, 1926 and was just five months away from celebrating his 92nd birthday. Bob was predeceased by his loving wife Betty in 1987, and son Paul in 1975 in an automobile accident. Bob was the last surviving member of his family with the loss of his brothers Bill, Jack, and sister Dorothy. Bob was also predeceased by his parents William and Mary Henley, in-laws James and Susan Morison, and brother-in-law Alan (Al) Morison. Bob is survived by his children Barbara (Armand), Bruce (Shauna), Kirk (Robin), Susan (Gregg) and Todd; grandchildren Kalie (Eric), Cole, Justin (Tannis), Trevor (Jessica), Kyle, Khristin (Ryan), Megan (Kenny), Cory and Jamie (Mike); great-grandchildren Joanna, Amy, Alexis, Maddox; and loving sister-in-law Maureen Morison; as well as numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Bob will be missed by many friends, co-workers, and neighbours from the lake and his home on Valour Road. Bob was proud of his Weston roots. His family grew up at 1421 Ross Ave. during a very tough time, money was scarce, and opportunities were limited, through hard work and perseverance Bob went on to enjoy a very good life. At 19, Bob joined the Canadian Army and attended Camp Borden. While waiting to be deployed overseas, thankfully the war ended when V.E. Day was declared, and Bob was able to return safely home to his family. Bob met his wife Betty at a dance in 1946 and they married on April 6, 1950. While on their way back to Winnipeg after their honeymoon in the U.S.A., they arrived back to the disastrous 1950 flood underway. They had to abandon their vehicle in North Dakota and return by train for the final portion of their journey as roads and most of the landscape was under water. They began their married life together in an apartment on River Avenue, moved to a house in St. Vital, then bought a house at 1175 Valour, however with a growing family they decided they needed a larger home and in 1957 started construction on a new home on Valour Road where they raised their six children. Together Bob and Betty enjoyed over 37 years of marriage until her passing in 1987; Betty was a very loving mother and a great life partner for Bob. Travel was a big part of their lives; destinations included Canada, USA, Mexico, Jamaica, The Dominican, Barbados, Bahamas, Europe, ocean cruises and road trips throughout North America. Many of those vacations in Canada had the family loaded into the station wagon for cross country adventures that were a lot of fun and those family trips will never be forgotten. Shortly after moving into their new home, in 1958 Bob and Betty seized an opportunity to purchase a beautiful lakefront lot at West Hawk Lake, Manitoba, where they achieved a dream of building a beautiful cottage in a stunning location on Moonlight Bay. Many hours were spent with family and friends building and maintaining the cottage. Many visitors, young and old treasured a visit or a weekend at the cottage, even if it meant you had to pull your weight. Bob was famous for getting work out of everyone. Nobody could avoid the watchful eye of Bob on those days, weekends or holidays. The cottage was a place where all were welcome, and you were encouraged to have a good time and enjoy the lake. As with all family cottages and children's families expanding, a very difficult decision was made to sell the cottage. The cottage was sold in 2001 after 46 years in the family. The cottage remains a beautiful site on the shores of West Hawk Lake. Bob's knowledge of building was always sought after and as such, Bob built several cottages and did renovations throughout the Whiteshell. Bob was always in demand and he was a very busy contractor during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Bob also learned the art of being a stonemason from master stonemason John Nilson, who built the Witches Hut in Kildonan Park with natural Precambrian stone. Bob, with his new knowledge, built several beautiful fireplaces, stone walls, stairs, sidewalks and planters at many homes and cottages in the Whiteshell Park area using beautiful, natural stone where his work remains today standing the test of time. West Hawk was and will always remain a very special place for the entire Henley family and friends as many hours were spent enjoying lake life. Bob was a strong swimmer and a very good diver, always up for any challenge. In the 1960s Bob swam across West Hawk Lake from Moonlight Bay, straight across the lake to the shore of Indian Bay, something that his family and the locals were always amazed by. Hunting trips for ducks and geese and fishing trips were always scheduled summer or fall. Bob took the time to enjoy these pursuits with family and friends. Bob was forever active, planning, working on his projects, or helping someone else with their projects. Bob started his employment after the war with Powell Equipment as a mechanic and then C.P. Rail as an electrician. He applied and was accepted into the Winnipeg Fire Department (WFD) in September 1955 to a job he forever loved. He was very proud to be a member of WFD Reg #324 for 30 years on #1 Platoon, 23 years at #1 Station, and the remainder at #5 Station and #10 station, he retired as Captain in 1985. Bob loved being part of the crew on the Rescue and spent the better part of his career on the Rescue or Pumper at #1 and #5 Stations. He loved to be first on scene and first in with his crew, his leadership quickly earned him the nickname by fellow firefighters as "Deputy Bob". Firefighting is and remains dangerous and a risky occupation, Bob was injured many times, burned, caught in flashover and backdraft situations, exposed to toxic fumes, suffered from ammonia burns and broke many bones during his 30 year career, technology in firefighting was not what it is today and the advancements that have been made are remarkable. Bob was prepared for those sacrifices always helping those in need. The dangers of fire are always present and are always on the mind of firefighters as they prepare for their next run for service. Bob received the Fire Service Exemplary Medal and was grateful to have been a member of WFD for 30 years and a member of UFFW Local 867 for 63 years as a retired member. Bob with his "Bob the Builder" activities quickly became an additional source of employment for many firefighters and many others needing employment as they worked alongside him on many projects. They built cottages, additions, home renovations, plumbing, electrical, concrete work, decks and docks from Winnipeg to the Whiteshell. Bob upon retirement had a great number of friends on WFD and cherished those relationships, he was very fortunate to enjoy 33 years of retirement on pension. Bob was involved in the Meridian Lodge and Khartum Temple Shrine as a Shriner for over 30 years, participating in the Drum Corp. Bob was a long-time volunteer driver for cancer patients, delivered Christmas hampers, coached hockey at Clifton Community Centre. He always gave and volunteered his time to any good cause or person in need. Bob had a huge heart and he was always willing to lend a hand. Bob loved his black labs, Trieve and Tar and dogs Hank and Lacy were all trained by Bob and were great companions. Bob also loved his furry friends the chipmunks and would feed them often with peanuts in his shirt pocket at home or at the lake. Bob always felt buying a vehicle "new" was important and as such over the years both he and Betty always had new quality vehicles to drive. Travel to the lake was important and with the motto "you only live once" why not drive something nice, it was also a good idea if that vehicle could carry material to the cottage or next job site. In retirement Bob kept busy with many projects and travelling, he loved Cuba and travelled there often - he felt a real connection to the Cuban people. Bob would go and search out the locals wherever he travelled to experience their lifestyle and every time upon return home to Winnipeg, would reflect on how "lucky we were" in Canada. In May 2010 Bob was taken by ambulance to the Grace Hospital where the family was advised that Bob was unconscious and unresponsive, and his time was limited. After five days in this condition, with a bedside vigil, Bob, ever determined came through and was able to recover. The medical staff stated, "this is a miracle". Bob returned home to Valour Road, realizing he was going to need some help, tried assisted living at Amber Meadows. From the first day he arrived he wanted to go back home, however was willing to give it a try. Six months later Bob moved back home and to provide Bob with a helper Bruce and Shauna worked for nearly two years to bring in a caregiver that could help Bob out at home. His caregiver Nema arrived in June 2012 from the Philippines, and really became a huge asset to Bob and our family, something we are forever grateful for today. Nema is now a Canadian citizen and is thankful for the opportunity to come and work in Canada, Bob was very happy to have provided this opportunity and was so appreciative of her care. Bob also had many home care helpers over the past few years, prior to moving to Middlechurch Home in July 2016. Joy, Tony, Romeo and Miguel became not only caregivers but friends to Bob and the family. Bob and the family are very grateful for their kindness and friendship. Thank you also to Dr. Ian Maharaj for his care. Bob's final move to Middlechurch in West St. Paul was tough but the right decision. Bob had almost daily visits from Bruce, Shauna and family who live in West St. Paul, also daughters Susan and Barbara and their families and special friend Jen, who all visited often. Bob loved and cherished all visits and visitors, his mind was sharp, had a great memory, he loved to read and tell stories, he always said he should have written a book, and Bob loved Canadian history right up until his passing. Every time a visitor left, Bob would ask "what do you need, or what can I give you?" He was a generous, kind man, always thinking of others. We would also like to thank the staff at Middlechurch Home on Ward A2. Bob had a very special relationship with the staff nurses, therapists, health care aides, residents and anyone he encountered at the facility. We are so appreciative to all of you who treated Bob like family during his stay. In Bob's final hours many staff attended and did their utmost best to provide comfort to the family and Bob in his time of need. Thank you also to the medical staff at Seven Oaks Hospital who assisted getting Bob home to Middlechurch where he was comfortable and with family in his last hours. May God Bless all who helped Bob and God Bless Bob for a life well lived, he will be missed dearly by family and friends. Thank you to so many people for your calls, emails, texts, cards and flowers - your kindness has been very comforting to the family. At Bob's request cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held. As a past burn victim Bob felt very strongly about the great work of the Manitoba Burn Fund. Donations in Bob's name would be appreciated to the Manitoba Firefighters Burn Fund, 83 Garry Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4J9, 204-783-1733, Thank you. www.voyagefuneralhomes.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 21, 2018