ROBERT EUGENE HERRIOT

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ROBERT EUGENE HERRIOT Just one month after the wonderful celebration of his 80th birthday, Bob Herriot passed away peacefully surrounded by his beloved family. He had a great day planned - after attending Mass at Holy Rosary, he was on his way to the monthly Eatons Retirement Coffee Party followed by a round of golf with the boys. Sadly, as he was preparing to go to the coffee party, he suffered a stroke. He held on long enough for Rob, his son to arrive from Toronto. There is no doubt that Bob has found his way home to be with countless family and friends who have gone before and we suspect that hes already deep in conversation again with Doc, his own dad. Bob was born in St. Vital on May 21, 1921 to Doc (Alex) and Christina Herriot - the 3rd of 5 children. He attended Glenwood School, Holy Cross School the year it opened, and Norberry Collegiate. Not long out of high school, he joined the T. Eaton Company where he worked for 48 years. As soon as he could, he joined the RCAF to serve in the Second World War. His time was initially spent in Saskatchewan and Ontario before he was shipped overseas. He spent time in England, France, Germany, Holland and Belgium and was proud to tell us his D-Day +6 story among others. He was a walking history of the Second World War! Once back in Canada, he returned to what would become his lifelong affiliation with Eatons. Having started in the Fancy Goods, he worked his way up to Group Sales Manager and buyer for several departments. His numerous buying trips to Europe and the Orient rendered many a funny story. He had a gift for merchandising that was legendary at Eatons. One of the things he liked best was selling ANYTHING he wanted to in the Notions Department. More than one manager from other departments griped over merchandise he sold - merchandise they thought to be exclusively theirs! His retirement in 1987 brought opportunities for activities old and new. Once again, he took up golf - with his Eatons cronies, of course. He was an active member of the Eatons Retirement Association right to the end. His dearest friends were all tied to Eatons in one way or another and what great friends they were. How lucky we felt that Dad was so lovingly cared for by his friends - Hector, Kline, Dunny, Bert, Roy, Bud, Walt, Tom and countless others. Not an Eatons crony but a dear friend with whom he had a special friendship, Nino Militano will miss Bob dearly. Bob was first and foremost a man of great faith. As a young boy, hed run all the way from 49 Guay to Holy Cross Church to serve Mass as an altar boy - usually at 7:00 on a school morning - before breakfast, of course. That early tradition of daily Mass continued to the day he died. One of the reasons he so desperately wanted his drivers license was so that he could drive himself to Mass EVERY day. He said his prayers every night and quietly lived a life of faith. He believed deeply and lived his religion unconditionally. Bobs innumerable acts of kindness exemplified that. He was truly a role model for his family and others and commanded respect simply by being who he was. Bobs greatest love was his family. He fell head over heels in love with Mary OSullivan and married her on August 12, 1950. She was the apple of his eye and his face would light up when he saw her coming. Their 51-year marriage was Marys greatest gift. As a husband and father, he was unsurpassed. He worked hard all his life to provide for his family. If money was a bit thin at times, it was his own needs he sacrificed - not those of his family. He made sacrifices to ensure his children had a Catholic education because he felt it was so important. He often said how blessed he felt that all his daughters had married such wonderful men. (We think we had a great example to follow!) Rob, his son was his pride and joy. His conversations were often punctuated with news of Rob and his career. As a grandpa and papa, he took great delight in his four grandchildren and proudly displayed pictures of their various ages and stages. He showed an interest in anything that any of us were involved in, enthusiastically listening to our stories. Dad too was a great storyteller and how lucky we are to have learned so much from him. Bobs passing has left a great big hole in the hearts of all his family and friends - most especially, Mary, his wife of 51 years; Barbara and her husband Ted Miller (and Bob and Poochie, Bobs favourite pups) Nancy and her husband Carmine Militano, their children Anthony, Kaitlyn and Danny; Mary Elizabeth (Hamish) and her husband Brian Deane (travel partner and tour guide extraordinaire to Bob) and their daughter Kacey (and Belle, his favourite hound dog). Predeceased by his parents; brothers Murray (Neen) and Alex (Lexie) Bob is survived by his sister, Bernice Flood; his young brother and dear friend, Paul and wife Frances; in-laws, Jewel OSullivan, Jimmy OSullivan, and Pat OSullivan. All his nieces and nephews had a special place in their hearts for Uncle Bob - as did he for them. Ever giving, Bob followed the example of his brothers and gave his body for scientific research. Donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba or to a charity of your choice. Prayers will be said Sunday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. at St. John Brebeuf Church, 1700 John Brebeuf Place (Renfrew between Grant and Corydon). The funeral Mass will be said Monday, June 25 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Brebeuf Church. Bob Herriot was a loving, dedicated son; a wonderful brother and a true friend. He was an extraordinary husband and father who loved with complete unconditional love - the best dad a person could ever have. We will miss his ever-present smile and kind nature but will be forever thankful for the gift God gave us in Bob Herriot.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 23, 2001