I first met Pat and Bob in September of 2013 at a Tuesday evening social at the Juan de Fuca 55+ Activity Centre.  Pat was line dancing with Evelyn’s line dance group.  Bob didn’t or should I say wouldn’t line dance.  He was waiting for Theresa’s Social Dancing immediately after the line dancing.  So Bob and I were seated at the same table and we started to chat.  Eventually our conversation got around to ages.  I said “So you must be about 70, 71” Bob replied “No I’m 82”.  Which I thought was amazing because Bob didn’t look anywhere close to 82.  
So Bob and Pat became good friends with me and eventually my new wife Beverly. From time to time we travelled to various places together such as Christmas in Vancouver with Wells Gray, a cruise to Las Vegas, Nuevo Vallarta in Mexico with a dinner at La Dolce Vita and so on.  While in Las Vegas we also enjoyed a free dinner at the Spanish Restaurant courtesy of “La Cucaracha” that found its way into our room. 
So yes, Bob was always a good friend and we will miss him.

Bev and Mike


Memory of Robert McKay.

Robert McKay left Scotland for Canada, with his father, as a teenager to find a new life for the family. His father, my grandfather, returned to Scotland soon after, to the great disappointment of his wife who wanted to live closer to her beloved sister, Chrissy, and her family.

Bob stayed and made a very good life for himself using his native intelligence, resilience and common sense to do so. To his mother he became the 'Prince over the water'. An eldest son that she would only see occasionally and fleetingly during the rest of her life. 

I think I was in Uncle Bob's company only six or seven times. He seemed a quiet man, even when he was annoyed. Interested in facts rather than the entertainment that outrage and anger can bring. A powerful determination seemed to rest within him, some call it stubbornness but we McKay's know it as simply a refusal to compromise when we know that we are right.

To see him as an older man was to see his father; his walk, his speech rhythms and most particularly the look he gave you when he disagreed with your behaviour or your point in a discussion.  He, like I, was brought up to not impose himself and others mis-judge that as indifference. Some thought that of Uncle Bob but I knew him as an engaged and caring man, happy to let others get on with what they were doing.

Uncle Bob was close to his sister Jean, my mother, and they exchanged many letters over the years. He hoped also to be close to his brother James but James inherited another of the family traits, the ability to disappear without warning or explanation. I know that saddened Uncle Bob and he regretted that the situation could never be resolved.

People argue about the truth of the phrase 'absence makes the heart grow fonder', the life experiences of some lead them to believe the opposite. I can say that in the case of Robert McKay and his close family in Scotland, absence certainly made their hearts very fond indeed.

Ronnie Smith
24/3/2022


We are very sirry to hear of Bob's passing.  We have many good memories of time shared together.  He always had a cheerful and encouraging word for everyone.   Praying for God's comfort to be with you Pat and the family. 



OBITUARY

Robert McKay

14 July, 1931 – 9 March, 2022

First Memorial Funeral Services

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