Robert Jones McKague

Bob was born in Saskatoon on August 2, 1934, the only child of Harry and Memory McKague. Bob is survived by his wife, Laverne (nee Gronsdahl, married September 4, 1956); his daughter, Joan Summers (Dave); son, Tom McKague (Melody); four grandchildren, Chad Summers (Karli), Erin Summers, Colin McKague and Holly McKague; their mother, Jane Grinnell.

Bob’s father and grandfather established the family funeral business in Saskatoon, McKague’s Funeral Home in 1913. He followed in his father’s footsteps, modernized the facility, expanded the building and bought adjacent properties for a parking lot. The business excelled under his leadership and vision. Bob sold the business in 1986 and the property in 1996 and he continued working until he retired in the year 2000.

In Saskatoon, Bob attended Victoria Public School and Nutana Collegiate and went on to become a licenced funeral director. He served as president of the Saskatchewan Funeral Association from 1967 to 1969 and then president of the Canadian Funeral Directors Association of Canada. He was a member of Grace-Westminster United Church and a member of Riverside Country Club.

Bob loved hockey. He played hockey as he grew up and then coached kid’s hockey at Buena Vista School. He went on to become an accomplished referee and later taught other aspiring referees for the Saskatoon Hockey Association. Bob also loved working in his home workshop that was filled with many tools to repair, fix and build; in his spare time he was always working on something for Laverne, a friend or family.

During their retirement years, he and Laverne spent many winter months in Leisure World, Mesa, AZ, where they gained many friendships through golf. They also learned about other countries through extensive travel to many areas of the world.

Bob and Laverne moved to Calgary in 2005 to be nearer to family, which lead to many enjoyable times with all of his grandchildren.

A private family celebration of Bob’s life will be held and interment will be in the family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery in Saskatoon. Saskatoon arrangements are in care of Acadia McKague’s Funeral Centre.

The family would like to thank Dr. Sarit Sengar and the attentive staff at Bow View Manor who cared for Bob through his advancing difficult time with Alzheimer’s disease.

The family is left with great memories of a life that was dedicated to always being concerned for his family and helping others. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and he will always be missed.