Thomas Robert (Bob) Thomas

Bob Thomas passed away quickly and peacefully at home on August 27 at the age of 92 years. Family members were fortunate and grateful to share their good-byes with Bob, Dad or Grandpa during the last few days of his life.

Bob was born in Hardisty, Alberta. His parents, Tom Thomas and Edna Bertina Lyseng, and sister, Joyce soon settled on a rented farm in the Armena area near Camrose. After World War 2, the family moved to Calgary where Bob completed high school at Western Canada High. His participation in sports (especially skiing), and the Sat-Teen and Booster Clubs paved the way for his unwavering support of the Cochrane community and his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting endeavours. He was the best cheerleader.

After high school, Bob was a surveyor of the initial power line through Kananaskis. In 1952, he came to Bearspaw where he started working with Norm Newsome, driving a truck hauling milk in cans from farms to the dairies in Calgary. After meeting Cliff Gillespie and Ted Cushing who owned the Bearspaw Service Station, he was inspired to take Automotive Mechanics at TEC (now SAIT). Apprenticing at Bearspaw Service Station, he received his ticket in 1954. Bob worked with Whittle Implements in Cochrane, where he did field repairs on farm equipment at local farms and ranches. He met many old and young timers and characters from the area. These encounters turned into lifelong friendships with numerous people in the community. He worked for Alberta Forestry, and Fairbanks Morse, which specialized in larger industrial engines. Later, he set up his own company, Bob’s Fix It, where he continued to do small engine repairs well into his 70’s. Bob always enjoyed his work, but what brought him true happiness was his family.

Bob met the love of his life, Shirley Wearmouth, in 1954. Finally gaining the approval of sister Winnie and her 5 brothers, they married in 1957. Bob and Shirley loved living in the country. They initially lived on a dairy farm near Cochrane where they welcomed sons Bruce and Glen. Wanting to be closer to Shirley’s ailing father, they moved to an acreage off Lochend Road. There, sons Keith and Wayne were added to the family and where they lived for the next 41 years. Raising four active boys on an acreage outside of the city meant lots of driving to and from practices and games. Bob never considered getting up at 3am an inconvenience when taking one of his sons to a hockey tournament or an early league game in Banff. With the truck full of teammates and equipment, Bob cherished the opportunity to be there in the stands, cheering them on. Bob always loved the opportunity to spend time in the garage with one son or another, passing on his skills and wisdom of auto mechanics. He considered getting them to hold the lamp still a milestone achievement! Bob loved camping and he and Shirley made sure the family had many epic holiday adventures, particularly at Shuswap Lake. Gathering around the kitchen or dining room table for a family meal or holiday dinner was important to Bob, and his smile grew bigger every time there was a family dinner in the works.

Bob enjoyed skiing in his earlier years, cycling, curling, and golf. He especially loved camping with friends and family. He and Shirley always had an RV and travelled to the furthest points West, East and South of Canada as well as all the Provinces and Territories, including briefly crossing into Nunavut in a polar bear viewing buggy while at Churchill, Manitoba. He had a great time playing Old-timer Hockey and participating in the tournaments in California. 

Bob loved to laugh, giggle, and tease. He loved conversations over a cup of coffee. He kept the family connected through weekly phone calls to catch up with all the goings on in their busy lives. His grandchildren brought particular joy to his life. As with his sons, he spent innumerous hours at their sporting events, cheering them on. There were many weekend overnights at the acreage and summer camping trips throughout Alberta. Grandpa has left them with a legacy of memories and stories to tell and retell.

Bob put in countless hours of volunteering, whether it be building things or providing guidance, being part of the volunteer crew for the '88 Olympics, helping others with their broken machinery, and later on, taking friends to medical appointments as their driving skills diminished (he loved to drive). 

Bob was a long time member of the Bearspaw Lions Club. He was a past president and was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow in recognition of his dedication to the Lions organization. He was proud to reach 65 years of membership and be awarded a LifeTime Membership. He laughed that he no longer had to pay dues! Bob also took pride in being part of the early days of the Bearspaw Lions Club Farmers Market, helping to lay a foundation for long term success.

Bob will be deeply missed by his loving family; his wife of 66 years, Shirley; his children Bruce (Philippa), Glen (Elise), Keith (Laura) and Wayne (Patricia); his grandchildren Mahri, Mitchell and Will; his sister Joyce and all of her extended family.

Bob’s family is very appreciative of the support and end of life care provided by the management and staff at Alberta Health Services - EMS and Home Care, Rocky View Private Health Care, Dr. Pagan of Maple Leaf Health Centre and Grande Avenue Village.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, September 11 at All Saints Anglican Church (404 – 4th Avenue North, Cochrane, Alberta) at 1:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be offered after the service at the church.

The Thomas Family would like to invite all who are able to join us to continue to celebrate Bob's life at the Cochrane Legion Branch 15 (114 - 5th Ave) after 3:00 p.m.

In consideration of those that cannot attend in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82275297236

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bearspaw Lions Club at treasurer@bearspawlions.com or to a charity of your choice.