Died peacefully on Tuesday October 9 at the age of 92. He was born in Toronto on May 24, 1926. He is survived by his daughters Margaret Haig (Yves Paradis), Pamela Haig Bartley (William), and Judith Haig-Tullio (Carmine) along with his grandchildren Daniel Paradis, Katherine Paradis, Alexander Bartley, Paige Tullio, Christine Tullio and his cantankerous but loyal dog Gemini. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Mary Haig (née Van Wyck), his daughter Barbara Haig, and granddaughter Nicola Tullio. Bob trained as a paratrooper during World War II, and when the war ended, he attended the University of Toronto where earned his Bachelor’s degree in Forestry. He then began an adventurous and successful career as a professional forester in the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. He then transitioned to the Federal Department of Forestry which took him and his young and growing family from Parry Sound to Winnipeg, Ottawa and finally Sault Ste. Marie, where he ultimately became the Assistant Director of the Great Lakes Forest Research Centre. Apart from his professional skills and achievements, he will be remembered for his active service as a Rotarian, and as a member of the United Church. He was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman. He will be remembered by his family as a loving father and husband whose courage and quiet strength helped them all to carry a greater burden of trouble than could ever be carried without these qualities—and, for that reason, was the guarantor and guardian of their happiness. He will be remembered by everyone who knew him for his razor sharp wit (supported by his effortless recollection of passages from the King James Bible, Shakespeare, Tennyson, and Gilbert and Sullivan, all appropriate to any possible human situation), his generosity of spirit, his talent for friendship, his hospitality, his civility, his blend of judgment and charity—these are virtues of what used to known in earlier generations as a Christian gentleman. Friends are invited to visit at the Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. E. 705-759-2522) on Friday October 12, 2018 from 7 pm to 9 pm and on Saturday October 13, 2018 from 10 am to 12 pm. Memorial service to be held at Central United Church on Saturday October 13, 2018 at 12:30 pm. The Rev. Laurie Milito officiating. Memorial contributions to Sick Kids Foundation, Nicola's Triathlon for Kids, or to Parkinson Canada would be greatly appreciated.
There is a passage from Shakespeare that might capture him: “As for his bounty, there was no winter to it.”