Robert James Huddleston (1935-2010)
Bob passed away peacefully July 27 after a wonderful weekend spent with family and friends at home in Alert Bay. He leaves behind the love of his life, Sonja, with whom he spent over 20 years happily exploring life - travelling abroad, camping and boating, and fierce games of skip bo at the kitchen table. He is loved and missed by his children with first wife Liz: Bruce (Thuy), Heather (Dale), Patty, Jackie (Josh), and by Sonja’s children: Danny (Sam), Kane (Sharon) and Brenda (Brent). He is beloved Opa/Grandpa Bob to grandchildren Cassie (Rob), Allesha, Kara, Todd, Max, Cameron, Evan, Adrian, Angelica and Jason.
Anyone who knew our dad knew he was a man of stories and humour. He would tell us he was born at a very early age on a dark and stormy night (it was Halloween), and his first disappointment in life was that his mother would not let him go trick-or-treating.
He was born in Vancouver, and spent his early years on Digby Island, tricycling through a 17 room house. In 1943 his family came to Alert Bay, where his father was a wireless operator. In the 1960’s, Dad moved his wife and son to Port McNeill, where he started North Island Building Supply. Three daughters came after that. All the kids remember life above the yellow building supply store, with the only home-made, paint-decorated ice rink in town. He sold the business after 16 years, and became the public works foreman for the town of Port McNeill.
Over the years, dad served as alderman, volunteer firefighter, and as a regular at morning coffee with the boys. He was an integral part of the community, and always had a hand to lend, or a wise answer to a question asked.
He moved back to Alert Bay in 1988, continuing to do what he did best - fixing and building anything and everything, but his greatest joy was spending 23 years living happily with our step-mom Sonja. They were a wonderful complement to each other, and created a home of lively conversation and laughter, with family and friends always welcome. While we shed tears that he is gone, we smile because he lived.
You done good, Dad. We love you.
A special thank you to Dr. Ham, Judy-Lee, Judy and Molly for their wonderful care and support, and to the people of Alert Bay for all their kindness and support in our time of grief.
Celebration of life to be held September 11, 2010, 1pm at the Alert Bay Legion. In lieu of flowers, donations to the B.C. Lung Association appreciated.