Can't believe its been a year already, the last time I spoke to you I told you I was going with Grandma to Richard's and would be back in a few days. I wish I'd said goodbye to you  but I also wish I was getting on a plane to come and see you, sit in the garden chat, have shrimp on the BBQ (the best) and have you help me with sudoku! I will never forget arriving at the airport and seeing your face greeting Grandma and I, or meeting you half way on the 'mail bag run', taking me downtown to Toronto- and staying at the bottom of the CN tower in the cafe with Grandma and Richard while Andrea and I went up, taking me to Canada's Wonderland, Niagara Falls and many other places along the way! Thank you for all those late nights we sat out on the decking just chatting, you telling me about the old times as a child and times with Grandma and Grandpa, just wish I had the chance to listen to more. It pains me to see Grandma so upset but I know you're with Grandpa and celebrating today on his birthday. I wish you'd come with us to St.Lucia that year as I know you loved it there, and I wish we could have enjoyed it together with Mum and Grandma too. I wish I could see your face again and hear your funny English/Canadian accent mix which you've adopted over the years. I miss you everyday, love you so much Uncle Robert, always on my mind and forever in my heart <3 xxxx

Bob and I first met in late 1970 while serving as 17-year-old Police Cadets in the Dunbartonshire Constabulary, Scotland.  We soon became good friends and enjoyed many hill climbing expeditions and hitch-hiked together around Europe on holiday.  In the summer of 1972 we both were sworn-in as Constables and managed to arrange working on the same shift in Clydebank.  About that time I met Margaret, who would become my wife, and Bob met his future wife, Petricia.  We have all remained good friends since.

I remember many a long, rain-soaked night walking the beat with Bob when we would forecast that "some day, we'll become two grizzled, old, grey-haired Detectives and look back on our younger days walking this beat."

Well, Bob and Petricia followed Margaret and I to Canada in the mid-1970's and, true to our forecast, and many years and a number of children later, we became those two "old, grizzled" Detectives while serving three and a half decades with the Toronto Police.

Margaret and I will miss Bob terribly.  Both our families shared many good times and memories.  He was always there for us when we needed him, whether it was to help with a building/repair project or words of wisdom or of comfort.

Margaret and I have always loved a poem written by Henry Scott Holland who was a minister in England in the 1800's.  His words have brought comfort and condolence at times of loss like this and we wish to repeat them here in the hope that they will do the same for everyone who knew and loved Bob.  The poem, - entitled "Death" - reads as follows:

"Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other
That - we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play.  Smile. Think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect,
Without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight? 

I am but waiting for you
For an interval,
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.

All is well."


Thank you Bob, for being You and for everything you did for everyone.
All our love,

Robert and Margaret Macdonald and Malcolm and Alexander too.

I met Bob a number of years ago, worked with him, learned from him, and played guitar with him. Thanks to a certain other Bob we would play Knockin' on Heaven's. I won't forget that.

Hope you made it Bobby. You will be missed.

My wife and I send our heartfelt condolences to all of Bob's family.

Andrea is a very good friend of mine. I do not know her family very well, but I met Andrea through some photographers and models and we worked together on some photoshoots. Andrea also helped me move all my stuff from Scarborough to Toronto. She is a great friend to me and I recently heard about her loss... I send all my sympathy to Andrea and her family on these tough days and wish you all the best of luck and love.

Dear Pat. Robert. Tim. Ian and Andrea. 

Please accept our sincere condolences. It is with great sadness we hear of Bob's passing.  Bob was a long time friend and mentor to my late brother Kenny MacLean (member of 80's Canadian Rock Band Platinum Blonde).  From Kirkintilloch to Toronto, we know how Bob kept Kenny on the straight and narrow and it was much appreciated from the MacLean family.  Here is a Robert Burns epitaph that truly reflects how we will remember Bob.

An honest man here lies at rest
As e'er God with his image blest.
The friend of man, the friend of truth;
The friend of Age, and guide of Youth:
Few hearts like his with virtue warm'd,
Few heads with knowledge so inform'd:
If there's another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.

As Burn's would say!

"A man's a man for awe that."

Rest in peace Bob

The Maclean's, Margaret (mother), Donald, Morag and Pamela.

Dear Pat, Robert Ian Tim and Andrea, I remember Robert as a fun loving,kind hearted man,A man who made my sister Pat so very happy , I will always have fond memories of Robert, Rest in Peace 
            Love from John Teresa and Family in England UK xxx

From your little brother (Ant) we had some good times together , Golf , Geocaching , Sedway , Scouting , and Model Trains - I have great memories.
Will miss you

Ant Kay Matt Max

Please accept my sincere condolences.  I met Bob many years ago as a fellow officer in Toronto Police.  Bob was always calm and good-humoured, no matter what the situation.  We used to joke about his service as an English "immigrant" in Dumbarton Police, Scotland.  I served in Glasgow Police prior to emigrating to Canada, and Bob and I used to trade stories, and I bet some of them were even true!  "Wilkie", as I knew him, was a truly dedicated professional and a wonderful human being,
Ron Whitefield

Dear Pat, Robert, Ian, Tim & Andrea
Aunt Rona and family

So sorry to hear of Robert's passing.  We have good memories of his visits to Newfoundland especially when the girls were younger and they were simply amazed that he could do "magic card tricks". They spent hours trying to figure out how he did that. Our thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.

Virginia, Ger and family
Mount Pearl, Newfoundland

I've had the pleasure of calling Bob Wilkinson "Dad" in the last couple of weeks as his future daughter-in-law.  I will truly miss his sense of humour, his kind heart, and his kindred spirit.  Looking back and remembering memories of Christmas mornings, Christmas dinners, or even just having a quick chat on the deck or in the basement while he's reading.  He will always be remembered and loved!  Rest in Peace Dad!

“We live, we love, we let it go.”
? Kevin Dalton

Dear Pat, Robert, Ian, Tim & Andrea
     Rona & family

So very sorry to hear of Robert's passing. I first met Robert as a young lad in Scotland many years ago when I married his Uncle Harold. We have spent some wonderful times together over the years. Harold remembers him as a wee lad in Southorham, Halifax getting into mischief. He will always be remembered and loved. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Aunt June and Uncle Harold
Mount Pearl, Newfoundland

Dear Pat & Family
Our deepest sympathies on the loss of your dear husband and father.Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Steve, Jean Redl & Family 2nd Brampton

Dear Pat, Rob, Tim, Ian and Andrea, 

Our family shares your grief on the untimely passing of Bob. It was a pleasure meeting him and your wonderful family last September, 2012. He  will surely be missed. Our prayers will be offered for the eternal repose of his soul. We would like to share this wonderful quotation from an anonymous author:"LIFE IS NOT MEASURED BY THE BREATHS WE TAKE, BUT BY THE MOMENTS THAT TAKE OUR BREATH AWAY". 
Bob's spirit will live in our hearts .......forever

Love and Prayers from,
The Avenir Family (Ed, Perry, Steph, Ed 2nd and Chris)

Sincere condolences to Bob's family on his passing.  I fondly remember his sense of humour and his human spirit.

Doug & Deb Massey

Bob was one of my really great partners back at old 14 Division. Great cop & good friend. He will be dearly missed. I remember him talking fondly of his dear wife and children who I know he loved and cherished. My condolences to his wife Pat and children. 
Bob could easily have said: 
I have been where you fear to be,
I have seen what you fear to see,
I have done what you fear to do,
All these things I have done for you.
Rest in Peace my friend.

Dear Pat. Robert.Ian.Tim. Andrea. as I met Robert thru scouting I thought I would leave a Baden-Powell quote. Try to leave this world a little better than you found it and, when your time comes to die,you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time. But have Done Your Best. Robert was a mentor to many youth inthe scouting movement. Well done Robert Rest in Peace. Pat and family Don and I send our condolences to you in this difficult time Love and Hugs Eve

The loss of someone so close is difficult to bear. We share your grief and our thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.

With love from all of us,

Elizabeth, Adrian, Victoria, Alessandra and Jeremy.

Dear Pat. Robert. Tim. Ian and Andrea. as I met your father thru Scouting I thought it appropriate to leave a Baden-Powell quote. Try to leave this world a little better than you found and, when your time comes to die, you can feel happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time, but have done your best. I am sure that Robert has been a mentor for many a Scout. My last memroy of Robert was a remebrance Day service it was cold and raining and we walked from library he with Venturers me with Beaver. Rest in peace Robert job well done

OBITUARY

Robert Bob Eric Wilkinson

June 2, 1953 – May 23, 2013

Andrews Community Funeral Centre - Bramalea Chapel

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