It is with great sadness that the Marks family announces the passing of Robert «Bobby» Gilbert Marks on Wednesday August 17, 2022 at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital at the age of 79, after a short battle with cancer. Though the past few weeks of his life was challenging, he was still full of energy and of course humour.
Bobby was born in Dryden, Ontario on October 25, 1942. He married his beloved wife Carol on June 27, 1970 in Thunder Bay, Ontario and celebrated 52 years of marriage. Together they raised their daughter Diana (Rob) and son Kevin (Nikki). He was a proud Papa to Violet, Evan, Keenan and Taylee. He will be dearly missed by his fur babies Thunder, Rocky and Kayla. He will also be missed by his Old Boys Hi Y (WI) Coffee Club where they would chat about the old days, solve all the world problems, complain about potholes and city taxes. We nicknamed it the Tim Hortons University….you gents know who you are and thank you for being good friends.
He is predeceased by his parents John «Jack» and Elizabeth Marks and in laws Walter «Teeny» and Pauline Esse.
He grew up in Fort William (but never forgot his roots in Westfort) and attended Selkirk High School and Confederation College. In the 60’s Bobby worked for Paul’s Service Lakehead Limited as a «Lube Monkey» (as Skinny would say). He then moved on to work at Great Lakes Forest Products , CEA Simon Day Limited and also moonlighted as a taxi driver for Lacey’s. He found a home working at Ontario Hydro at the Thunder Bay Generating Station and finally retired 25 years ago.
Back in the day you would be able to find Bobby at the Flamingo Club with his buddies and partner in crime Scott Shields. As a young buck, he spent some time on the ski slopes at Mount McKay but usually you would find him upstairs «socializing». In the summer he would enjoy his time at Jack/Elizabeth family camp at Kashabowie Lake. He said he is the reigning water ski champion and the only man to ever water ski the whole lake even though he couldn’t walk for 2 days after. Seneca Crescent won’t be the same without you for many reasons. Bobby was always willing to lend a hand to all the neighbours whether it was shovelling, snow blowing or cutting grass or just helping out (it was usually from sunrise to sunset).
Bobby was always a familiar face and volunteer at the rink. He was always there when called upon to coach, manage, be a trainer and executive member for the following organizations; Thunder Bay Kings, Elks Minor Hockey Association, Neebing Hockey Association, Fort William Hurricanes, Thunder Bay Jr B/Juvenile/AAA Hockey League, Telus Cup and Thunder Bay Kings Alumni Golf Tournament. He was a #1 fan of the the Thunder Bay Kings watching his Grandson or a #1 fan for the Queens watching his Granddaughter play hockey. He loved driving the kids to the rink even if it was 2 hours early and yelling «we are gonna be late». He will be missed telling numerous hockey stories and mostly handing out candies to all the parents and kids at the rink. He was looking forward to watching Keenan play Jr A this season but Bobby will now have to watch from the rafters sipping on a Timmies extra large triple triple with the hockey gods.
Bobby enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the family camp at Marks Lake. It was the camp that Bobby built, even if the camp was built with bungie cords and a quick Bobby Rigged fix (not Jimmy Rigged). He was always willing to lend a hand to those in need at the Lake. He would spend most days cutting, splitting and piling wood to burn. If he wasn’t cutting or stacking wood, he was burning his collection of pallets and no chance a mosquito would survive within a 10 foot radius. No matter what, if you visited Bobby, he would have a cold beer for friends and family. If you were lucky enough he would pull out the premium rum and you would get a 3 finger rum and coke (tough pull with those sausage fingers). Bobby loved having the grandkids/family swimming, fishing and enjoying times on the pontoon (even though there were bets on the lake when the pontoon would make its annual voyage each year). Bobby’s last ride was 2 weeks ago where he launched the fiberglass boat and took it for a spin around the lake at Mach 10. We will never forget that ride and you saying it «runs». Things will never be the same without him at his favorite spot.
Next summer we will have a celebration of life with family and friends at the lake to share memories (details to come at a later date). In the mean time, tip a Beer, Shot, 3 finger Rum, Tims Triple Triple or burn a few pallets in his honour. Should friends so desire, donations can be made in Bobby’s memory to the Thunder Bay Humane Society.
Special thank you to the 911 Communications and Thunder Bay Paramedics for your compassion. Thank you to Christine Ainsworth for watching over him in emerg. Thank you to all the nurses and Dr. Chan at the the Thunder Bay Regional 2A floor for making him comfortable. Most of all thank you to Dr. Kelly Magee who always took care of him.
Online condolences and fond memories may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com.
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Wednesday August 17th 2022
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Robert Gilbert Bobby Marks Wednesday August 17th 2022..
sargent and son funeral directors
Décès pour la Ville:THUNDER-BAY, Province: Ontario