ROBERT (BOB) ALEXANDER McDONALD

Peacefully on Friday January 05, 2024, with family at his side, Bob passed away in the St. Boniface Hospital at the age of 79 years.

Dad was predeceased by his parents Malcolm and Mary McDonald (nee Muir). Bob will be lovingly remembered by his wife Carole McDonald (nee Taylor), his son Gary (Daisy) McDonald of St. John’s NL and daughter Cheryl McDonald of Winnipeg MB, his grandson Brennan McDonald of St. John’s NL, his sister Anne Paulsen (nee McDonald) of Winnipeg MB, his brother-in-law Grant (Linda) Taylor, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends, and his faithful canine companion Cassie.

Bob was born in Neepawa MB on Jan 25, 1944. In 1955, his family settled in Portage La Prairie after living in various small communities in Manitoba. In 1965, when he moved to Winnipeg MB, he met the love of his life, Carole. Bob and Carole met while both working for the Canadian National Railway in Winnipeg. They married in November of 1969 and the following year Gary was born. In 1971, Cheryl was born. Many years later in 2006, Bob’s grandson Brennan, his pride and joy, was born. Bob was a lover of dogs, especially beagles. There was never a point in time where the family didn’t have a dog.

Bob worked his entire career with the Canadian National Railway at Union Station and Symington Yard in Winnipeg, MB. He worked in the car control division in a logistics related role. As he worked for the railway, Bob enjoyed taking the train every summer with his family traveling from Winnipeg to Vancouver to enjoy time with Carole’s Mom and Sister. The trip of his lifetime was in 2001 when he and Carole went to Greece and Italy for 2 weeks.

He retired after 33 years with the CNR but felt he was too young to retire so he decided to send out his resume. He soon after gained employment with Direct Auto Parts near Headingly MB delivering vehicle parts to various garages throughout the City of Winnipeg. He worked there until 2014 and fully retired. 

Outside of work, Bob was an avid sports fan. When he was a young boy, he played hockey in Portage La Prairie. His long-time childhood friend and teammate, Gerald Farley, remained a close friend up until the day Dad passed on. Bob was also a huge fan of the Winnipeg Jets and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He was often seen tagging along with his very close cousin, Don MacDonald, down to the rink or the field to take in a game. Bob would also look forward to trips to St. John’s, NL to watch his grandson play hockey, even seeing his grandson win the provincial title live and in person.

After Bob moved to Winnipeg, he took up the sport of curling and curled many years out of the Fort Garry Curling Club. He would often take Gary and Cheryl down to the rink with him and would always let them throw the rocks on the ice after his game was finished.

Bob was always a social butterfly as he knew everyone and always welcomed friends and family into the house. It was a regular social event on weekends where Bob and Carole would have their close friends over for a game of cards or a game of dominoes. They would even take their game of dominoes on the road to play with sister Anne (and her late husband Barry) at the cottage in Ditch Lake.

Thank you to doctors, nurses, and attendants at the St. Boniface Hospital for the wonderful love and care Dad received over the past couple of months. Special thanks to Don McNaughton, Bob’s very close friend who came to visit him nearly every day during Bob’s last days.

A celebration of life service will take place in mid-2024. As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to any local SPCA.

​

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

​