Robert Alan Pickard

It is with heartfelt sadness the family announce the passing of Bob Pickard on November 18, 2011, at the age of 65. Bob passed away with his loving family at his side, following a brief battle with cancer. Bob is predeceased by his sister Beverly, father Cyril, mother Phyllis, father in-law Clemence Stahn and son-in-law Kevin Cronan. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Shirley Stahn, daughter Lisa Cronan (Dale Stagg), Calgary, AB, son Steve (Marlee) Pickard, Airdrie, AB, daughter Renee (Christian) Kelly, Winnipeg, MB, and daughter Bobbie-Jo (Jason) Dalton, Calgary, AB; granddaughters Emma Cronan, Karli and Morgan Pickard, grandson Joshua Dalton; brother Barry (Mel) Pickard, mother-in-law Vicky Stahn, brother-in-law Garry Stahn (Glenda Laboccetta), sister-in-law Holly Stahn (Norm Krauss), aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and very dear and close friends.

Bob was born on July 2, 1946, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Growing up on the family farm west of Crane Valley, SK, Bob assisted his dad in the farming/ranching operations. Bob attended the Crane Valley School completing his Grade 10. He continued his education at STI taking a welding course. Bob had many different roles over the years; he was a welder, a police officer, a farmer, a plumber, an electrician, a carpenter, a multiple business owner and a councilor for the Town of Assiniboia. Bob’s most important role was a devoted, loving and very proud husband, dad, father-in-law and grandpa.

Bob met the love of his life, Shirley (Stahn) who he loved, adored, cherished and respected. Married on February 25 in St. Andrews United Church in Moose Jaw, SK, they started their life together at the Pickard family farm in Crane Valley. In November 1967 they moved to Moose Jaw when Bob started his 9 year career as a constable with the Moose Jaw City Police Force. During that time many lasting friendships were formed and good times were shared over coffee chats and countless hours of playing Canasta with fellow co-workers and close neighbors.

Choosing to leave the Moose Jaw City Police Force, Bob & Shirley decided to move the family to Crane Valley to pursue farming alongside his parents and brother Barry. In 1979 the family relocated to Assiniboia to take on new adventures. Bob became the service manager at White’s Farm Equipment, drove a fuel truck for the Assiniboia Co-op and was later a manager of the Assiniboia Co-op farm supply. Next, Bob took his skills to the Petro-Canada as the service manager and when Petro-Canada was sold he became the service manager at Palliser Ford.

Vehicles were one of Bob’s passions as he had 20 different vehicles including a motorcycle, but his pride and joy was his 1966 Baracuda. Another passion was watching movies at the Capital Theatre and the Drive Inn Theatre in Moose Jaw. This became a very popular place for both Bob & Shirley. The funny thing about that is Shirley said to him, “Isn’t it too bad that you can’t make a living watching movies?" Well I guess that is all the encouragement that he needed because the next stop on his employment journey was the purchase of BG Video World. And for the past 23 years they have worked side by side operating their business in Assiniboia. You can guarantee that almost every movie in the Video Store was watched by Bob, only of course to make sure they were good enough to purchase and rent to all of you. Bob always enjoyed adding on to his existing business: photo finishing, woodworking, a distributor for Easy Care Living Centre (personal care products and mobility aids for the elderly and disabled). Not only was Bob a successful business man in Assiniboia he also wanted to help out the community that he cared so deeply about. Bob was a Council Member for the Town of Assiniboia for the past 17 years serving on and chaired many municipal committees. A long time member of EMO (Emergency Measures Organization) and a board member for Comfort Jubilee, a member of the South Central Protection Services and a member of the South Central Transportation Planning Committee. Town council members always entrusted Bob to drive to different meetings outside of Assiniboia as they knew they would get there safe and early as his speed was somewhere between fast and airborne.

Bob was so very proud of his 4 children. You could often find him glowing with pride and his eyes would light up while he shared stories of their accomplishments with everyone. Travelling to Calgary to witness the birth of all 4 grandchildren were very proud moments for him. Grandpa Bobbie and his cherished grandchildren developed everlasting bonds as they enjoyed spending time at the Video Store developing personal and business skills that he taught them at a very young age. This summer Grandpa Bobbie took pride in being able to give his first grandchild her first driving lessons, oh how excited/scared they both were. His family meant the world to him and he meant the world to us.

Some of Bob’s interests ranged from watching movies, Rider games, Nascar racing, and daily morning coffee row chats. His special hobby of woodworking, which he called “Grandpa Bobbie's Hobbies,” was second to none and many of you still may have his handiwork in your homes today. He always believed in saying, “Measure twice, cut once,” and, “Do it right the first time or don’t do it at all.”

Every morning before going to work you were sure to find Bob at the New Moon Gardens enjoying his many cups of coffee and making many lasting friendships. Some of the many characteristics about “Video Bob” that will be greatly missed by his family, friends and his community are all the nicknames he gave everyone; the teasing of the 2 year olds to 92 year olds; the conversations at the Video Store or on coffee row; his outgoing personality, his smile, laughter, sense of humor and the positive attitude he kept right to the end, he will live forever in all our hearts and we will never forget the wonderful times that we shared with him.

On behalf of Bob’s entire family, his son Steve gave a heartfelt tribute sharing precious memories, tears, laughter, and joy. Steve also shared thoughts written by Bob’s cousin Gail, who was always like a big brother to her. His Worship Mayor Paul Topola, on behalf of the Town of Assiniboia shared thoughts and kind words of remembrance of the years that Bob was a councilor.

Visitation was held Tuesday November 22, 2011 at Ross Funeral Home at 7:30pm. A celebration of Bob’s life was held on Wednesday November 23, 2011 at 2pm, at the Alliance Church. Pastor Terry Severson and Pastor Bob Scott of the Apostolic Church officiated. “Gavin's Song” by Marc Broussard, a special song and guitar solo for Grandpa was performed by his granddaughter Emma Cronan. The Alliance Church Worship Team played traditional but modern music, selections included “Holy Spirit”, “You Have Won Me” and “Come Alive”. Meaningful songs chosen by the family were “If I Had Only Known” by Reba and “Heroes” by Paul Overstreet.

The family wish to thank Bob’s friends, Gary Davidson, Brad Edgerton, Bill Fong, Phil Hewlett, Dr. Ken Lee and Garth Walter for acting as pallbearers. Honorable mention to the Town of Assiniboia Council, past and present. Donations in Bob’s memory can be made to the Palliative Care Unit at the Assiniboia Union Hospital, in care of South Country Health Care Foundation. Interment followed at the Mount Hope Cemetery, Assiniboia, SK. Arrangements were entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK.

“You only live once, but if you do it right...ONCE is enough.”