Robert George Hunter McDonald

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Robert George Hunter McDonald of Goulais River, Ontario, on December 22, 2024, in his 91st year.

Bob will be forever treasured in the heart of his partner and best friend of 47 years, Brenda Gallander, who feels truly blessed to have had him in her life.

Bob will be lovingly remembered by sister Viola McAuley (late Orme) and nieces Barbara Bell (late Les), Mary Lou Keene (Elby), Margaret Elwgren (Arnie West), Donna Conway (Ray), Anne McCarthy (Dan) and nephew Kevin McAuley (Anne).

He will be dearly missed by numerous cousins and neighbours and countless friends in Goulais River and Sault Ste. Marie.

Bob is predeceased by his parents Clara and William McDonald; siblings Arnold McDonald (Cecile), Isabelle Barker (Ellwood), Douglas McDonald; nephew Bill Barker and close friends Sid Allen, Frank Hands and Richard Virene.

Bob was a certified master cabinet maker who worked for several carpentry companies before the City of Sault Ste. Marie was lucky enough to hire him. Bob worked from carpentry shops he set up at both the Bellevue Park location and the 2nd Line location until he retired from the Community Services Department with 36 years of dedicated service. Bob was affectionately dubbed “Doc” by his coworkers at the C.S.D. for his humorous initiations of new staff.

On Grant Road in Goulais River, Bob built his log cabin as a vacation home before moving in permanently after retirement. His carpentry shop at Goulais was a hive of activity where he built various styles of kitchen cabinets, Scandinavian style furniture for his cabin, beautiful panelled armoires, unique chairs and other furniture, numerous guitars, violins and a base. He also constructed a Gaff Rig Schooner sailboat and a cedar strip dinghy. He was commissioned to design and create items for city departments and churches. His unique inlaid wooden bowls, grandfather clocks and other beautiful wooden clocks have become heirlooms in the homes of family and friends.

Bob co-developed and played in many musical groups with cousins and friends over the years throughout the Algoma District from the K-Dettes in the late 1950’s to the Goulais Geezers from 2015 to 2017 when his Alzheimer's Disease was starting to become evident in some respects.

However, the Goulais River Shovel Band was the musical group he initiated after he retired from work in 1992 which became the most widely known group in the region. Bob constructed five guitars, a banjo and a violin from new metal shovels. As well as the playing of the shovel instruments and singing by the musicians, there were creative costumes, sets and hilarious antics which audiences enjoyed. Bob’s creativity and fun-loving spirit shone through in this popular group which was featured on the television show "On the Road Again". He was an awesome Willie Nelson impersonator complete with long braid, headband, guitar and voice performing his renditions of “Crazy” and “Nightlife”. Bob was inducted into the Northern Ontario Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017 playing the shovel instruments.

His other talents were sketching, painting and maintaining his park-like yard.

Bob was an avid downhill skier. Also, he and Brenda cross-country skied, snowshoed, hiked, canoed the Goulais River and picnicked and swam at the bay.

Bob enjoyed many trips with Brenda some of which were to Spain, Portugal and Morocco, the American Southwest, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Bob’s favourite trip was their Alaskan Inside Passage cruise.

Bob was loved by all who knew him and he was widely known. He was highly skilled, industrious and innovative. He found the good in everyone and was an advocate for the underdog in society. Bob was modest and never sought recognition for himself. A dedicated friend to many, Bob will leave a void in the lives of those who knew and loved him.

Thank you to the P.S.W.s and R.P.N.s on Tunnel Lake, Maple View Long Term Care Home, for their special gentleness and compassion during Bob’s recent period of palliative care, the dedicated physiotherapy department led by Param P.T. who worked tirelessly with Bob and Doctors Tkachyk, Law and Ludgate for their care.

At Bob’s request, he will be cremated and there will be no funeral. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations (payable by cheque or online) to Alzheimer Society of Canada (to fund research grants to develop early recognition, treatments and a cure) or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. East, 705-759-2522). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com for the family.

Rest in peace our beloved Bob. Our love goes with you, and our souls wait to join yours.

Miss Me, But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road,

And the sun has set for me,

I want no rites in a gloom filled room

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little—but not for long,

And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that once we shared.

Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey that we must all take,

And each must go alone.

It’s all part of the master plan,

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart,

Go to the friends we know,

Laugh at all the things we used to do.

Miss me, but let me go.

Anonymous