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Obituary of Robert (Bob) Snell
Passed away peacefully on Monday, March 10, 2025, four days after his 94th birthday.
Bob is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, Dorothea Snell, his daughter Elinor Snell, his son Robert Snell, his daughter-in-law Amanda Mathewson, and his grandchildren, Keiran Mathewson and Emily Mathewson.
He was predeceased by his parents (Herbert Snell and Charlotte Scott), and four brothers (Cliffy, Donny, Billy, and Brucey).
Bob was born a Depression-era baby in Toronto, on March 6, 1931. His father came from Chatsworth, Ontario, and his mother from Belfast, Ireland.
He grew up in Cabbagetown in Toronto, spending most of his time with his brothers, swimming in the Don River, and hitching a ride on the train to Muskoka for the day, while his mother frantically searched the streets for her boys.
He taught himself to read from the Eaton’s catalogue, and never stopped reading. He spent many hours at the Toronto Public Library as a child.
He became an electrician, poring over his books at night to study. He worked as an electrician, first at Metro Toronto, and then at the University of Waterloo. He was a proud union man.
Bob married Dorothea in 1966. In 1970, he became a dad, with the birth of Elinor. Robert was born in 1973.
He loved being a dad (and grandfather later on). He read and sang to the kids throughout their childhoods.
He wanted to know where he came from, so he researched extensively his paternal family tree, even going to Britain to do archival research. He liked working with his hands, including tinkering. His main hobby was woodworking, and he spent many hours in the wood shop making toys for kids. He hunted and fished.
Bob also liked to argue. It was rare for a day to go by where we were not debating something. He had bought a set of Everyman’s Encyclopedias, and those green cloth books came out regularly. This strong will and fighting spirit showed through even at death, when he refused to go to the hospital in the last week of his life.
Most of all, he was the person in our family who said, “I love you” every single time we parted. So now, we say: We love you, Bob. We’ll see you on the flip side.
Special thanks to all the wonderful people at Lanark Heights LTC home, Pine Unit. The RNs, the RPNs, the PSWs, the cleaning staff, the maintenance workers, and the reception staff made his last years better by providing kind, gentle, and competent care until his last day.
Cremation has taken place, and a family service will be held.
In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family may be arranged through www.erbgood.com. Bob, while he still could, regularly gave blood to Canadian Blood Services. We would appreciate it if friends would consider donating blood in his honour.
1931 2025
erb & good family funeral home
Death notice for the town of: Waterloo, Province: Ontario
death notice Robert Bob
Snell 1931 2025
obituaries notice Robert Bob
Snell 1931 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Robert Bob
Snell 1931 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
