It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, Robert “Bob” Reid on Sunday, November 14, 2021, at home in Westmount.
Born 1938 in Sydney, he was the son of the late Hubert Best Reid and Annie Catherine Park.
Bob is survived by his daughters, Lindy (Darryl) Arndt, Calgary and Donna (Nick) Rutherford, Coxheath; sons, Robby (MaryLee), Howie Center, Barry (Trish), Westmount, Donny (Kim), Toronto and Gordie (Michelle MacIsaac), Sydney. Bob was proud of his grandchildren. He will be missed by Andrew, Christopher, Jennifer, Kyle, Taryn, Corey, Shawn, Jeffery, Kristen, Bradley, Michelle, Emma, Brenna and Chloe, as well as by his great-grandchildren, Kate, Haylee, Sidney, Jack, Brielle, Bo, Nash, Nathan and Adelaide. He is also survived by his sisters, Jessie Wall, Sydney and Linda (Poul) Petersen, Grand Valley, ON. Bob is also survived by Lois Allen, his wonderful companion for the last few years. Our family was fortunate and very grateful to Lois for her care and compassion. Dad was blessed when she came into his life.
Besides his parents, Bob was predeceased by his loving wife of 52 years, Lucy and brother, David.
Dad was a skilled heavy-equipment operator and worked for a few different companies in his younger years. Starting with the Irving service station in the mid-seventies, he was self-employed in a family operated business focused on mechanics and trucking. He worked with a number of his sons and passed his skills and knowledge to them and his grandsons until his retirement in the 90s.
As a life, long-time resident of Westmount, Dad was fortunate to have fostered many great friendships, including with his pal, Charlie Oursin, a friend for over 40 years. Dad enjoyed many pastimes. In his younger years he was active in the Cape Breton Scuba Diving Club and raced stock cars, a hobby that he enjoyed with his sons and their sons. For many years he was a presence at the County Rink in Coxheath cheering on his children and grandchildren who played hockey. Not too many could miss hearing Bob’s booming voice from the corner of the rink. He was an avid boating enthusiast, and the family spent many summers cruising the Bras d’Or Lakes. He loved to drive the many roads around Cape Breton and he and Mom put miles on his vans going to Newfoundland, PEI and making trips west to visit the kids. He also enjoyed travelling with Mom and with family members to places farther afield like Germany, Australia, Scotland and his beloved Ireland. However, Dad’s favourite activity was music. He had a fondness for Celtic and Maritime music, especially music from Newfoundland…the birthplace of his parents. He recorded a CD of Newfie music that he was proud of as it contained songs written by our mom, Lucy. He sang and played guitar with numerous local musicians and entertained in senior’s homes and at “the Beach” in North Sydney.
Visitation will take place at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Saturday, November 20, 2021, from 4-7 p.m. A funeral service will be held in the chapel on Sunday, November 21, 2021, at 11 a.m. with Mr. Gary Grant officiating. Interment will take place in Baddeck Forks Cemetery, Baddeck Forks. Covid-19 screening will be in effect. Proof of double vaccination, ID and masks are mandatory.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Robert William Bob Reid 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia
Sorry for your families loss….Bob will be greatly missed. I have lots of great memories of Bob’s visits in King’s Convenience Store.
Tracy Bragg and family
Edmonton, Alberta