Mr. Robert Allen “Big Bob” Nelson, a resident of Obonga Lake, passed away unexpectedly at home on August 28, 2015.
Bob started working in the bush when he was 13 and worked all his life until his health would not allow him to continue.
Wanting to stay busy, Bob turned to farming, raising ducks, chickens and turkeys. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and trapper. His favourite activity was hunting for geese with his family.
He always passed on his teachings to numerous nieces and nephews and any child who wanted to learn. With passion for sharing his hunting and fishing skills, Bob also taught everyone to learn with laughter. He loved to laugh, tease and have a good time. There weren’t too many people he met who didn’t end up being a lifelong friend. His personality attracted everyone, and all of his brides! His laugh was infectious.
Big Bob will be lovingly remembered by his wife Myrna; children Laura, Walter and Jenna; grandchildren Reid, Rhea, Michael, and Nora Jane; mother Jane Fournier; siblings Mary Blakely (John), Bernard Nelson (Tammy), Leonard Nelson (Vivian), Juliette Britt, Aileen Malcolm, Theresa Nelson (Herb), John Metansinine (Ota) and Vivian Simmons (Victor); in-laws John Halka (Slap nuts) Lori and Jesse and Chase; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. He was predeceased by his father Walter Nelson; siblings Duncan Nelson, Rita Nelson and nephew Jacy Pierre.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2015 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street, presided by Rev. Mr. Victor and Maureen Pelletier. Cremation will follow with interment in the Animbiigoozaagi’igan First Nations Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service. Donations in Bob’s memory may be made to Renal Services of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Special thanks from Bob’s family to the Armstrong EMS; doctors and nursing staff in the renal department; Theresa and Herb for all the care and support; Aileen, Lynda and Brodie, for all the loving support and assistance with appointments.
Myrna and Bob just celebrated their Wedding Anniversary on August 27th and Bob shared this verse with Myrna that day as he had many times before, “I can’t promise that I’ll be here for the rest of your life, but I can promise I’ll love you for the rest of mine”.
