Robert Cameron Wares

December 22nd, 1956 - October 25th, 2024

With great sadness we announce the passing of Robert Wares of Laclu, aged 67, on October 25th at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora, Ontario. Succumbing to his second bout of cancer, Robert demonstrated a fierce determination and dedication to life with optimism and humor.

Robert leaves behind his two sons: Paul and Shaun, daughter: Amy (aka Taylor), sisters-in-law: Cheryl Kerr (nee Comstock) (Frank) of Calgary and Carolyn Comstock (nee Campbell) of Winnipeg as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Robert was predeceased by his wife: Bonnie Joan Wares (nee Comstock), infant daughter: Beatrice Amber, father: Arthur Howard Browne Wares, mother: Gladys Margaret Wares (nee Rayment), brother: Stuart Wares, in-laws: Roland Synical Comstock, Beatrice May Comstock (nee Bardsley), sister-in-law: Barbara Woods (nee Comstock) (Scott), Christina Comstock (nee Rychuk), brothers-in-law: John Comstock and William Comstock, Frank Kerr, nephew: Jeffery Comstock.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Rob was a devoted husband (married to Bonnie on May 3rd, 1980), father, firefighter and coach of hockey, soccer, and baseball.

He joined the Winnipeg fire department in March 1982. An avid learner, he pursued all areas of firefighting including first response, dive rescue, investigation, and hazardous materials.

He achieved the rank of Fire Investigator in April 2002 and was appointed a special constable for the province of Manitoba in May 2004, in which capacity he served on the Arson Strike Force. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in March 2007, and then Captain in May 2009. In February 2024, Rob was awarded the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 40 years of service to public safety. Countless awards accompany the many lives he saved.

One vacation, Robert and Bonnie fell in love with Laclu, and by the summer of 1986 the annual summer long vacation at the lake was in full swing. The days were filled with adventures at the cave, beach, 4am fishing for breakfast pickerel, and of course plenty of swimming, tubing, and skiing. The nights were filled with campfires, ghost stories, sing-alongs and roasted marshmallows.

Always building something, the lot began to fill with docks, sheds, and never-ending projects. After the tragic loss of the log cabin to fire, no time was wasted in rebuilding what became the home to which he and Bonnie would eventually retire. Moving to Laclu full-time, Robert was quickly recruited to join the Puff volunteer fire team. Forever a fireman at heart, he loved that he could continue this service beyond his Winnipeg career. He also served on the roads and local services boards and by volunteering for fundraisers like the poker and fishing derbies.

Rob enjoyed attending and hosting Home Routes concerts, bartending, playing cards with his family (a master at Hearts), cribbage at the club, and pickleball in his later years.

Through years of chemo and two stem cell transplants, he never lost his good attitude or his fireman’s mustache. If he were here today, he would tell us: Don’t sweat the small stuff… and remember, it’s all small stuff.

You are sorely missed Daddu.

Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of life will be held at the Laclu community club on December 7th, 2024 from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers and cards, please consider a donation in honour of Robert to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, 980 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, https://www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/donate or to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation, 21 Sylvan Street West, Kenora, Ontario, https://lwdhf.com/donate-now