JOHN LESLIE ROBERT (BOB) KIVI

Sadly, we announce the passing of Bob Kivi at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. on Sunday, June 27, 1999.
Bob battled cancer, mostly at home, with admirable strength, dignity, and without complaint. His unique sense of humour prevailed throughout his illness.
Care and support was provided by his wife, Dixie, with the help of visiting health care professionals, kind relatives, and neighbours.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 30, 1999 by Pastor David Gallas (Church of the Lutheran Hour) at Stratton United Church. Interment was at Pineridge Cemetery in North Branch, Ont.
Bob was born March 27, 1930 at McKellar Hospital in Fort William, Ont. and was raised near Nolalu by his parents, Sakri and Tyyne Kivi, along with siblings, Allen, Clara, Reuben, Reynold, and Bernice.
Bob’s working life began hauling logs near Thunder Bay. He cared for the logging truck as if it were his own. In 1951, he started work with Ontario Hydro.
Bob studied by correspondence and earned diplomas in Radio, Television and Allied Electronics from National Schools in Los Angeles (1958) and Communications from DeVry Technical Institute in Illinois (1963).
While working as a linesman, he met Dixie Lee Neilson at Larsson’s Camp in Nestor Falls, Ont. They wed Oct. 4, 1958 at Knox United Church in Fort Frances and had three children, Kevin (1960), Susan (1961), and Lyndon (1965).
In 1998, Bob and Dixie celebrated 40 years of marriage.
Bob loved the outdoors and passed this love to his family with frequent holiday camping trips and annual vacations to Northwestern Ontario to visit relatives. He enjoyed getting together with family for fishing, camping, and barbecues on the beach.
Most memorable were times spent at Lake of the Woods Provincial Park at Morson and at Uncle Rey’s camp near Thunder Bay.
Bob’s career moved his family across Ontario to homes in Fort William, Otter Rapids, Niagara Falls, Renfew, and Ajax. He worked as an electrician at White Dog Falls, Stewartville, Otter Rapids, Barret Chute, Mountain Chute, and the Pickering, Lakeview, and Darlington generating stations.
In 1988, after 37 years with Ontario Hydro, Bob retired as general foreman, Instrumentation, at Darlington Generating Station.
Love for Northwestern Ontario brought Bob and Dixie back to Rainy River District in 1992, where they built their retirement home in a stand of mature pines. The home is a showpiece of his desire for excellence and meticulous attention to detail, demonstrating his inventory of skills in electrical wiring, carpentry, and plumbing.
It was thoughtfully designed for family visits. Kevin (Shelly nee Brown), Susan (Gary Taylor), and Lyndon visited often as did relatives and friends.
Bob especially enjoyed the company of his grandchildren, Hannah, Jaime, and Adam (Taylor), and Max (Kivi), and grandnephews, Matt and Jay.
Bob was a fine husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and great-uncle. He was a true friend and good neighbour always willing to help others. Bob liked to tinker and invent things in his workshop, and would fix anything that was brought to him.
He and Dixie similarly benefitted from reciprocal good deeds of relatives and friends in their close rural community.
Bob was loved dearly, and respected by those close enough to see how wonderful he was. His belief in sound family values, desire for quality, his humble, quiet nature, and keen wit will live on in the memories of all who knew him.
He will be sadly missed. We must all be brave.
If desired, donations are gratefully accepted in Bob Kivi’s name at Amethyst House Lodge c/o Northwestern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre, 289 Munro St., Thunder Bay, Ont., P7A 2N3, or the Northern Cancer Research Foundation, 290 Munro St., Thunder Bay, Ont., P7A 2N3.