Robert George Van de Mark, Bob, or ‘Van’ to his many friends, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Princess Margaret Hospital. He was in his 69th year.
As he himself said, “I’ve had a pretty good run,” and that he did!
The most important thing to him in life was family. Predeceased by his mother, Phyllis McKay Van de Mark Walton, step-father John F. Walton and father Dr. Thorpe Van de Mark.
Bob was blessed with four beautiful children and two grandchildren, whom he adored and was extremely proud of. Kate Poole (Jody) and their children Beatrice and Parker, Jean Van de Mark, Bobby Van de Mark, Ben Van de Mark and wife, Lesley Van de Mark.
Although, five of six siblings lived afar, there were many memorable family times shared at his two favorite places in the world, Columbia Island in Muskoka and Windermere Island in the Bahamas. Bob will be dearly missed by Valerie Van de Mark Brown (Peter) and nephews JP, Scott and Will, Thorpe Van de Mark, Katherine Van de Mark (Diana), Elizabeth Van de Mark Gallagher (Joseph), niece Katherine and nephew Joseph, Donald Van de Mark and Scott Van de Mark.
Bob was immediately welcomed into Lesley’s family. Together they enjoyed dock time and Christmases in the Kawartha Lakes. Predeceased by his father-in law Orville Wright and brother-in law Jeff Wright. He will be dearly missed by Mother-in-law, Jane Wright, Brother-in law, Jim Wright (Christine), nephew Ryan, and nieces Rebecca, Claire and Emma, Brother-in-law Brad Wright (Krista) and nephews John and Oakley. As Brad commented, “the weeds at the cottage will now be overgrown, the Ceasars’ not as good, and we are not sure who will carve the Christmas Turkey this year.”
Bob graduated from Western University with a degree in economics. At 18, he started as a rookie at Wood Gundy and went on to become the Vice President of the Wood Gundy York Branch. He then moved on to work at Watt Carmichael Inc. and Foster & Associates.
Sadly, Bob will be missing his 50th year class reunion at Upper Canada College this fall. He always spoke so fondly of his years there, playing First Team Hockey and Football and was Lead Sergeant in the Colour Guard Battalion.
Van will be sorely missed at his annual Polar Bear Weekend where his name appears the most on the trophy for ‘longest in the water.’
Bob was a true gentleman and loved by so many. We will all miss his positive attitude and sense of humour.
Many thanks to the doctors and palliative care team at PMH. Best in the world! So kind, thoughtful and caring.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Princess Margaret Cancer Research.
A Celebration of Bob’s life will be held for family and close friends at HERITAGE FUNERAL CENTRE 50 Overlea Blvd., 416-423-1000 on Thursday, May 23 from 2 – 4 p.m. Online condolences & directions may be found at www.heritagefuneralcentre.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Robert George Bob & ‘Van’ Van de Mark Saturday April 27th 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario