Robert "Bob" Speedie

Bob passed peacefully at home on Friday February 10th with family at his side. Pre-deceased by his wife of 57 years, Rita (Menezes), his parents and his siblings (Bill, Flora & Fin). Survived by his loving children, Robert & Lisa and grandchildren Jonathan & Melissa. Bob leaves friends and family around the world who loved him.

Born in 1926 in Perthshire, Scotland, he served in WWII and thrived in the years of opportunity and innovation that followed. He displayed all of the best characteristics of his generation: a strong work ethic, loyalty, patriotism and resilience.

Bob was well traveled. His Navy service in the British Admiralty was spent on the RFA Fort Langley in the Pacific theatre where he learnt valuable organization skills which served him well in his post-war career. After the war he went to British Guyana where he met the love of his life, Rita. They were married in Trinidad, West Indies and spent 25 happy years there raising their family and contributing to community endeavours. Bob’s career shifted from agriculture to the oil industry with 35-years of service to Texaco in Trinidad and Canada.

One side assignment in Trinidad that gave him great joy was supporting the Carmelite Sisters in building and running a therapeutic centre for handicapped children which resulted in life-long and highly valued friendships, continuing to this day.

In retirement, he and Rita were actively involved with grandchildren, hobbies and enjoyed a full & fun social life. The last years of his life were spent at the Veteran’s Centre in the Sunnybrook complex where he made a great many friends and was widely known and loved. In fact, the family can hardly go anywhere on the Sunnybrook compound without someone asking “are you related to Bob Speedie?”!

The family is eternally grateful to the phenomenal team and the extraordinary level of care that Bob received at the Veteran’s Centre including, but not limited to:

the care team on his unit (LTSW) who created an environment where he felt loved and supported and injected fun into their daily interactions with Bob and indeed all of their residents

the Recreation team who provided much loved enrichment programs including music and art

the award-winning garden (including the Monarch release program) and the beautiful grounds that he so loved.

In keeping with Bob’s wishes, a small family memorial will be held following cremation.

If so inclined, donations to the Sunnybrook Veterans Comfort Fund in memory of Bob would be appreciated: https://sunnybrook.ca/content/?page=veterans-grant-wish-program

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kanejerrettnorthyork.ca for the Speedie family.