It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Robert Gordon (Bob) Cottam, 93, of Emo, Ont., on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at the Emo Health Centre in Emo.
Bob was born March 20, 1923 in Rainy River, Ont. to the late Harvey and Elsie Cottam.
On Oct. 11, 1943, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Eve, and the couple spent the next 50-plus years working side by side running Red Deer Lodge and raising their family in Nestor Falls, Ont.
Bob served his country during WWII and was one of the last remaining vets from WWII in the area.
After retiring, Bob and Eve moved to Emo, where Bob spent the rest of his years.
People will remember Bob as “the old guy in the Tam” as he seldom was seen without that plaid Scottish Tam on his head.
Bob also enjoyed writing stories and they often were published in the Fort Frances Times. In particular, the one about the loon that searched for her mate every summer after it had died from complications of swallowing a fishing lure.
After retiring, Bob bought a big Gold Wing and he and Eve travelled all over the country until Eve’s illness forced them to stay close to home.
Bob will be lovingly missed by one son, Robert Cottam Jr. and wife, Wilda, of Victoria, B.C.; two daughters, Nancy Rigato of Thunder Bay, Ont. and Sherin Hagen and husband, Larry, of Fort Frances, Ont.; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Cottam and husband, Andrew Hull, of New Westminster, B.C., Kathryn Cottam of Westminster, B.C., Roberta Cottam and husband, Steve Taylor, of Ladysmith B.C., Melissa Hoffstrom and husband, Michael, of Dryden, Ont., Jeff Hagen of Thunder Bay, Ont., Jaclynn Benvenuto and husband, Joe, of Thunder Bay, Ont., and Danielle Rigato and special friend, Taylor MacDonald, of Thunder Bay, Ont.; and five great-grandchildren, Andrew Jr., Nathan, Analeigh, Bridget, and Tienna.
He also will be missed by two brothers, Stan Cottam of Nestor Falls, Ont. and Lawrence Cottam and wife, Evelyn, of Kenora, Ont.; and many special friends and relatives.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, Harvey and Elsie Cottam; wife, Eve; sister, Florence Helliar and her husband, Charlie; brother, Norman Cottam and his wife, Min; and sister-in-law, Judy Cottam.
As per Bob’s wishes, there will be no funeral service.
A private family interment will take place in the Norman Cottam Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Nestor Falls at a later date.
Dad, Grampa, Great-Grampa—a very brave and strong man. A man who faced many hardships and many adversities in his lifetime. But a man who had great pride and a strong love for his family.
He will be missed by many.
Dad always spoke about how he had 65 years of Heaven on Earth with Mom and now he has gone to join her for eternity.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Emo Health Centre, P.O. Box 390, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0 or c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com
ROBERT GORDON (BOB) COTTAM
