ROBERT ALLEN BIRD

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ROBERT ALLEN BIRD 1926 - 2018 Bob was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on May 20, 1926 and passed away in his sleep, in the early morning of September 11, 2018 in Oakville, Ontario. He completed his engineering degree at the University of Manitoba in 1947 and in 1948 married Ellen Cynthia Kinneard, his beloved wife, who predeceased him in 2004. Bob is survived by his five children, Richard, Cynthia, Norah, Bruce and Greg, as well as his 12 grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. Bob invested his entire career in Bird Construction Company, which was started by his father, Hubert John Bird, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1920 and is now one of Canada's largest general contractors. He joined the company immediately following his graduation, laboured and rose through the ranks to be the general manager of the Company before becoming Chairman, President and CEO on the death of his father in 1964. He remained as CEO until his retirement in 1991 and continued as Chairman of the Board of Directors until 2001. Bob also served as Chairman of the Canadian Construction Association for 1974. Following his retirement, Bob and Ellen had many adventurous years together. They travelled lots and worked at various placements for CESO. In Canada, they enjoyed visiting family, socializing and sailing on Georgian Bay. They spent their winters at Treasure Cay, Bahamas where Bob also had a sailboat and was active in community affairs. They invited their children, grandchildren and friends to be a part of their Bahamian blue and golden sunset years, sharing their own special brand of island culture which still thrives today. Bob will be remembered as a hardworking person of the highest integrity, values he passed on to his children and his successors at Bird Construction. A celebration of Bob's life will be held at the Oakville Club, Oakville, ON on Saturday, October 27 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 15, 2018