He is survived by his loving family, wife Doreen Anne (Hemming), daughter Kathleen Anne, and son Michael Stephen, grandchildren Trista Thomson, Kara Dunbar (Thomson), Chris Devine, Sean Fitzpatrick and Shelby Hodge (Fitzpatrick). Also survived by great grandchildren, Carter, Logan, Carson, Brynne, Bennet, Scarlett, Remington, and London, as well as nephews and nieces in Ontario, Alberta and New York State.
Born in 1932 in Hamilton, Ontario, he was the only child born to Steven and May Fitzpatrick. Upon the untimely death of his father in 1948, he began work at the Dofasco steel factory in Hamilton, where he worked for 22 years. In September 1956, he and Doreen Anne Hemming married, and they were practically inseparable for 67 years. In 1970, they moved the family to British Columbia to protect his health in the arid climate. He worked at the Western Star Truck company for the rest of his working life and from 1971 onward, the family lived in Westbank.
Bob was interested in science and nature and enjoyed reading about these – and other - topics. He loved his garden, and it was very hard on him when he no longer had the strength to care for his small plot. He was active in the church (St. George’s Anglican, Westbank), carrying the cross and helping with communion while his health allowed. Seniors at the coffee parties will remember his jokes, which he loved to collect and then pass on to others. He was active in the Masons and served as the grand master of the Trepanier Lodge for a time. He focused on service; he enjoyed helping people and while they were able, he and Doreen helped seniors attend church and Bingo and the senior’s lunches. Since October 19, 2023, he resided at the Heritage Retirement home, along with Doreen but his health failed quickly, and he spent much of the last few months in hospital. We are heartbroken to lose him but grateful his suffering is at an end. He passed peacefully on Jan 18 shortly after midnight.
The family would like to thank the Interior Health home care workers who helped him stay independent as long as possible, and the staff at the Heritage Retirement facility for helping him through the last few months. Special thanks to his wonderful friends at the Shopper’s Drug Mart, in Westbank, who were so extremely kind and helpful, especially Tina and Paula, though we know many of the employees there also helped him and Doreen complete their weekly shopping on Seniors Day and helped them with cabs and sometimes deliveries too. Thanks to Paolo at the Medicine Shoppe as well for all the help and the many deliveries of needed items. While volunteers, Rudy and Duane, were in Westbank, they often helped Bob and Doreen get to medical appointments and to visit each other in hospital etc.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 11 am at Saint George’s Anglican Church, 3690 Brown Road, Westbank. If people choose, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any charity they wish. Some favourites of Bob and Doreen are the CNIB, BC Cancer Agency, the Heart and Stroke foundation and St George‘s Anglican Church.
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