ROBERT (BOB) WALLACE BOTSFORD

Robert (Bob) Wallace Botsford, 77, of 700 Third St. W., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Wednesday, July 28, 2010 with family by his side.
He fought a short battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and passed away peacefully, with dignity, and surrounded by an abundance of love and respect.
Bob was born Nov. 16, 1932, in Sudbury, Ont. to the late Charles W. and Florence (Bourdon) Botsford.
Bob was a very kind, caring, positive man who had strong moral values, a quiet confidence, and a quick wit. He did not say a lot but when he did, people listened.
He always had a look of contentment and a sense of peace. He had the insight to problem solve with ease and carry out tasks with incredible efficiency.
He was a very dedicated family man who was at his happiest when surrounded by his noisy family at the cabin at Bear’s Pass. The more family members present, the more Bob smiled.
He had tremendous patience with his children and grandchildren, and each of them knew they were loved unconditionally by their Grandpapa. He was a mentor to many who had the privilege of knowing this magnificent man.
Bob moved his family to Fort Frances from Sudbury in 1963 to be a manager of the Beer Store in Fort Frances. He held this position until his retirement in 1991.
He was a very active and dedicated member of the Fort Frances community. He was a charter member of the Fourth Degree, a Recorder for many years, and the Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus.
He also was a charter member of the Fort Frances Lions Club, where he was club secretary for 17 years. He was the initial recipient of the prestigious “Melvin Jones” award in recognition of his dedication to the Lions Club.
He was a trustee on the Fort Frances-Rainy River Separate School Board for six years, and was on the board of trustees for La Verendrye Hospital.
Bob also was one of the driving forces in community projects, such as the building of both the Lions Park and Fountain of Hope, as well as Columbus Place.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Lucille. He was the dear father and grandpapa of Dick (Wanda) Botsford of Fort Frances, Ont. and their children, Bob (Christine) Botsford of Thunder Bay Ont., Nic Botsford of Ottawa, Ont., and Jord and Miriah Botsford of Fort Frances, Ont.; Paulette (Myron) Romaniuk of Fort Frances, Ont. and their children, Christina (Andy) Carlson of Emo, Ont., and Lucas and Steven Romaniuk of Fort Frances, Ont.; Brigitte Berti (Gary Holmes) and her daughters, Janessa and Cassandra Berti and his son, Justin Holmes of Winnipeg Man.; Mark (Terri) and their children, Brent, Chelsea, Scott, and Michaela Botsford of London, Ont.; and Mike (Stephanie) Botsford and their children, Brayden, Connor, and Madison Botsford of Fort Frances, Ont.
He was great-grandfather of Ava and Violet Botsford of Thunder Bay, Ont.
Also surviving are his mother-in-law, Helene Perreault of Sudbury, Ont.; siblings, Charlie Botsford of Toronto, Ont., Dan (Fran) Botsford of Ottawa, Ont., Dave (Margaret) Botsford of Perth, Ont., and Lynn (Don) Cull of Sturgeon Falls, Ont.
He also is survived by his in-laws, Ronald (Louise Lamarche) Perreault of Montreal, PQ, Monique Allain of Sudbury, Ont., Jean-Luc (Lise) Perreault of Iroquois Falls, Ont., Francine (Jean-marc) Blake of Montreal, PQ, Lil Botsford of Ottawa, Ont., Claudette Michaud of Sturgeon Falls, Ont., and Marina Botsford of Campbellford, Ont.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob was predeceased by his parents; his father-in-law, Hormidas Perreault of Sudbury, Ont.; siblings, Ted and Peter Botsford of Ottawa, Ont., and Paul and Gabrielle Louise Botsford of Sturgeon Falls, Ont.; and in-laws, Geraldine Hingley of Edmonton, Alta. and Syl Allain of Espanola, Ont.
A funeral mass to celebrate Bob’s life will be held Monday, Aug. 2, 2010 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances, with Fr. Francis Pudicherry officiating.
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be directed to the ALS Society or St. Mary’s Church c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Thank you Bobby, Dad, and Grandpapa for all you have been to your family, friends, and your community. Yours was a life well-lived.
Online condolences may offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com