GEORGE ROBERT (BOB) WITTY

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GEORGE ROBERT (BOB) WITTY George Robert (Bob) Witty of Russell, MB, went to be with the Lord on December 3, 2001 at the Russell Personal Care Home at the age of 84 years. Bob was born July 8, 1917 in the Wolverine district near Harrowby. He was the third child of George Herbert Witty and Eleanor Bingham Witty. He was predeceased by his father in 1918. In 1923, the young family moved to the Shellmouth area in order to be near a high school. After finishing high school, Bob continued in his lifelong interest of farming. In 1941, Bob married Edith Winifred Sudbury, and commenced their farm life together in the Londonderry district, moved closer to Russell in 1948 and ran the dairy for three years. Together they had four children and also assisted in raising Ediths three orphaned cousins from England. With joy, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past August. Bob was a person who loved his family and friends, and firmly believed in work and responsibility to family, friends, community and church. He was a trustee on the school board at Londonderry. He was instrumental in starting the small park by the Russell Fair Ground currently known as Lions Park. He and Cliff Sage did much of the early labour installing swings and slides, et cetera. He was Scout Master for a few years and took a great deal of pleasure from his association with the young boys. In later years he served as Reeve on the Council for the Rural Municipality of Russell for nine years and three years as councillor. He retired because of increasing deafness but missed the challenges and activities of the work. During his term as Reeve he also served on the Board of the Russell Personal Care Home. Bob also served a number of years on the Board of Knox United Church. As well as serving as church treasurer for a number of years, he also was often called to help move a pastor or drive in poor weather as the pastor served a multi-point parish. Bob was interested in all sports. As a youth, baseball was his interest. When his children were young, he took an active part in organizing baseball meets and encouraging participation of rural schools in year-end tournaments. As he grew older he confined his activities to watching the sports on TV or listening to the radio. Horses were his passion. He loved to drive, ride, and just be around them. The last team he picked out of the many colts he fed in recent years will pull the coach to his final resting place. In 1999, he had the misfortune to break his leg and this started his gradual decline in health. He suffered a stroke on the day of his great-granddaughters christening, April 1999. After spending months in the Russell Hospital he moved to the Personal Care Home in January 2001. Bob was predeceased by his parents (mother in December 1960) and his sister Eleanor Pollon. Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Edith; and children, Peggy and husband Ed Tyrchniewicz, Ron and wife Darlene Witty, Pat and husband Alwyn Derkatch, and Barbara and husband Rod Bryer; sister Margaret Hassett; 11 grandchildren, Allen and David Tyrchniewicz, Richard and Linda Witty and Beverley Weisler, Louise Lungal, Carol and Tom Derkatch, Tyler, Amy and Robin Bryer; and eight great-grandchildren; extended family of Ann Urichen, Jean Kline and John Sudburys widow Doreen; many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 6 at 2:00 p.m. at Knox United Church, with Pastor Ruth Lumux and Deborah Smith officiating. Interment will follow immediately at Russell Cemetery. He is now safe in the arms of Jesus. Heaven is Home. All those who loved him will treasure their special memories. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made to the Seniors Handi-van or church of your choice, in memory of G.R. (Bob) Witty. Braendle-Bruce Funeral Service of Russell, Manitoba in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 06, 2001