Robert Bruce Lindey

It is with extreme sadness that I announce the passing of my best friend, husband, business partner, and life companion, Robert Bruce Lindey, 71, on October 13,th 2022, after a courageous and exhausting battle with cancer, in Toronto, ON., at the Palliative Care Unit at the Princess Margaret Hospital, with me by his side.

Predeceased by his father, Robert John Lindey, mother, Helen Doris Leeson-Lindey, husband, David Andrew Markus, uncle, George “Sonny” Mathers, cousin, Donna-Rae Meadows-Legault, brother, Murray Gene Lindey, aunt, Jacqueline Margaret Brignall, and Joan Ellen Lindey, Rob is survived by his husband, Anthony Ian Audain-Lindey, their whippet daughter, Macy, and by many relatives including his aunt and uncle Jeannie and Ray Meadows, cousins, Kenny (Phyllis), Tracey (Kevin) Wade, Tyler (Lauren), Blayne (Kristin), Peter (Donna) Legault, Ryan (Selina), Rodney (Shauna), David (Janice) Mathers, Lynda (Tony) Bracio, Ken (Joan) Lindey, brother, Brad Lindey (and Little Brad), and many nieces, nephews, and friends, a.k.a. “family of choice.”

Rob was a kind, gentle, shy, generous, proud, and compassionate man with a passion for life and the arts. His smile would light up any room, and there was always a hint of unexplored mischief in the twinkle in his eyes. Once you got to know him, you would recognize it, instantly. He enjoyed a good laugh and joyfully gave, and enjoyed, warm bear hugs.

Rob and I met in Toronto, in 2014, while he was visiting his baby brother Murray, after a choral festival in Ottawa. It was a serendipitous meeting involving piano bar and cabaret posters, coffee, music, friendly conversation, and a connection of creative minds. Soon after, we embarked on a journey of self discovery and an exploration of a mutual love of theatre and music which would later materialize in the form of an Independent Theatre Production company called, Jazz Haz Productions, specializing in cabarets, storytelling-musical performances, educational workshops, small digital-narrative films, and eclectic fundraising variety shows and concerts. Rob was the Music Director, Pianist, and Composer for Jazz Haz.

We worked in tandem with “Kids Up Front Toronto” an organization that provides free admission to arts, culture, and sporting events sponsored by independent companies who wish to provide access to such events for those who would otherwise not be able to afford to attend them. Many of our storytelling narratives-musical performances were presented at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People and at the George Ignatieff Theatre on the U. of T. campus.

After seven and a half years together, six of which were spent in Winnipeg, MB., Rob and I got married on November 14th, 2021, in a small and cozy ceremony in our apartment, in Toronto, due to Covid restrictions. During our years together, we travelled to Italy during a summer, and to Mexico during the winters to escape the minus forty-degree temperatures in the Peg. Rob loved to read and to create original musical scores for my storytelling scripts. He loved cooking, baking, road trips, enjoyed hiking (eg. the West Coast Trail), cross-country skiing, bike riding, nature walks, attending the Symphony, Virtuosi concerts, fine dining, and sampling quality wines. He supported both the Winnipeg Symphony and Toronto Symphony Orchestras.

Prior to our connection, Rob studied music at U. of T. and piano at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto. His parents flew him to Toronto from Thunder Bay for piano lessons when he was in his teens, consequently, sparking a lifelong romance with the instrument. Later in life, he switched gears and studied law at the University of Manitoba, was called to the bar in 1996, and became a very respected and influential Federal Crown Counsel for Justice Canada. He was one of the founding members of the “Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Association of Manitoba” (aka GALLA and now known as SOGIC, the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee of both Manitoba and the Canadian Bar Association). He spearheaded GALLA’s efforts to include sexual orientation as a prohibited ground for discrimination in both the Provincial and Federal Human Rights Acts. He also lobbied for the rights of Gay Marriage.

Rob and his previous husband, David Markus, fell in love with the lines and temperament of the Whippet breed. He and David bred Whippets under the Aikerskaill prefix in the early 80’s. They bred, raised, and exhibited Whippets for over 30 years. Their Whippets had a strong presence in the Best in Show ring for many years. Moving forward, Diane Fast, who still breeds and shows Whippets, will carry on the Aikerskaill kennel name.

Rob’s legal background made an impact with his appointment as legal counsel for the Appeals Committee for the Canadian Kennel Club. He served on the committee for four terms. For two terms he was chair, and for an additional two he served as a member of the CKC Legislation Committee. In 2022, the board appointed Rob on a replacement Discipline Committee. Despite failing health, Rob accepted the challenge, successfully. Rob was a member of both the Manitoba Canine Association and the Assiniboine Kennel Club.

Rob was one of the founding members and one of the original piano accompanists for the Rainbow Harmony Project, Winnipeg’s, award winning, LGBTQ2* plus Allies Choir. He was their accompanist for over 20 years. The 60-member choir was a political force for social change, and it created a safe space and place for people of like minds to sing and establish a sense of community. They participated in choral festivals both nationally and internationally, and won the acclaim, three years running, of being the best community choir in the city.

Rob was also the resident pianist for the choir at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg. He supported the church with an annual fundraiser, Champagne and Chopin, at his Niverville home. With tasty hors d’oeuvres, and beautiful, concert level, classical music, the event was always a sell out. Rob accompanied many acts for the church’s regular fundraiser variety shows, and worked on the archive committee, giving much of his time and energy to upholding the principles and well-being of the church. This world has lost a beautiful soul, and Rob has earned his wings.

Beloved husband, friend, colleague, social justice activist, musician, humanitarian, brother, uncle, nephew, son, and role model, our Robbie will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Princess Margaret Cancer (Research) Foundation. A celebration of Rob’s life will be held with a small gathering of family and friends, at a further date, pending Covid restrictions, in both Winnipeg and Toronto.