Rob Blair

We are incredibly saddened, and our hearts shattered as the Blair family announces the sudden and tragic loss of our beloved Rob. Husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and dear friend, to so many grieving hearts that he leaves behind.

Rob is survived by his wife Gail and his children; Derek, Kyle (Nathalie), Kim (Chris), and Greg. He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren; Kason, Brighton, Bowen, Brooklyn and Everleigh. His sisters; Jann, and Jean Anne (Ralph), brother; Gregory (Laura Leigh), as well as many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, in-laws and dear friends.

He was predeceased by his sister Kimberley (Wayne), his mother Marie, and his father Cecil.

Rob was born in Moncton and raised in Riverview, New Brunswick and was the middle child of five kids born to Cecil and Marie Blair. He was an avid athlete, competitive, a natural born winner throughout his life and as a young, handsome, high school football player met his wife and partner of nearly 50 years, Gail O’Brien. They would become a dynamic inseparable duo, in the early days fondly referred to as Turk & Rob. They married and settled in a quaint, western, prairie township near Calgary, Alberta. They raised four beautiful and amazing children, three sons who mirror their father's outgoing, driven love for the great outdoors along with one daughter, the apple of her father’s eye.

In the early 90’s he started his own company in the paving industry with Pro-Con Roadworks, applying a dedicated and committed work ethic that would prove to be just the beginning of many successful ventures, that later included acquiring DCB, a high performance boat company. His impressively smart and savvy business approach was reflected in the many visible fruits of his labour and through his multiple successful business negotiations. He created a wide network of various contacts from all walks of life, touching every corner throughout the globe.

Rob had a magnetic personality, larger than life, a life lived to the fullest. There was nothing average about Rob Blair. Energetic enthusiasm, always on the go, game for anything, with a twinkle in his eye and a disarmingly killer smile. He exuded an energy of contagious positivity around others. He was incredibly resilient tackling any challenge with an unshakeable “can do” attitude. Charismatic, compassionate and charming with a fearless passion for adventure.

He had his strong-willed and feisty side too, from which came a self-assured fire that served him well, solidifying him as a man of conviction with unwavering commitment, who was fiercely loyal and protective of his family and loved ones.

He was genuine, down to earth, a man’s man, with a mechanically inclined genius for any means of vehicle, especially recreational, enhancing his time spent with others while enjoying the great outdoors.

Rob thrived in any environment whether on land, mountain or sea. He embraced snowmobiling boating and spending time at the lake among family and friends, one of his favourite pass times. He, along with his devoted wife hosted and entertained multitudes of fellow fun-loving adventurers, being the providers of the ultimate place to meet in the Shuswap. People naturally gravitated to Rob. Kicking back on the dock, enjoying a cold beer in a little piece of paradise. It would be so like Rob to just show up unannounced, with a huge feed of east coast lobster for the whole crew to enjoy. He had a big generous heart, and so many were blessed by his charitable goodwill, commitment to others and his willingness to share.

Rob left us in astonishing fashion, doing what he loved, which is how he lived throughout the entirety of his life. Boater, sledder, race car driver, pilot, entrepreneur, family man and friend. How does one do justice and know what to say to adequately honour the life and the memory of a man so abundantly blessed? An extraordinary man who had it all, did it all, gave his all and was the epitome of success. That was Rob Blair... and in his generous nature he was not one to expect anything in return or look for displays of flashy accolades. He was legendary. He was heroic in his actions, and many have shared countless times he literally stepped in and saved lives or came to the rescue, when others found themselves in a precarious situation.

Our dear Rob loved his wife, loved his kids and family, worked hard and left a permanent mark in the hearts of all those who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be painfully missed by so many – too many to count – who loved, respected, admired and adored him. The legacy Rob built is extensive and will continue to live on through his wife, with his greatest and most cherished qualities embodied in his children and grandchildren. He undoubtedly knew, he was very much loved in return.

Indeed we love you dearest Rob, and you leave a huge void in all of us that only God’s grace can fill.

May the Lord tenderly escort you and be your eternal guide, to that perfect place of light and peace, where all the angels reside.

There will be a time for Visitation held from 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 25 at South Calgary Funeral Centre, 12700 Macleod Trail South, Calgary, Alberta. A livestream of the visitation is also available by following this link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcwNjIyOTcwNTI5MjU3MSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

A Funeral Mass is being held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 27 at St. James Parish, 338060 32 St East, Okotoks, Alberta.

Please use the link below to R.S.V.P

https://rememberingrobblair.rsvpify.com/?securityToken=RHuVQa1SO497918AmgoBtlEHR3X1xIPo