On January 28, 2015 Bob Burrowes passed away peacefully in his sleep at Pinewood Court in Thunder Bay.
Bob was a happy gentle man with a quick wit and awesome sense of humour. He was born on the 28th of July 1922 in Nolalu Ontario to Dick and Kathleen Burrowes. His schooling began at the Hillside School and then, after the early death of his father, he moved to other schools in the area as he and his sister Betty followed their mother to her various teaching positions. He started working for the CNR in the shops at Port Arthur in 1939 and continued as a locomotive engineer until his retirement 43 years later in 1982. His railroad career was interrupted only by WWII in which he served and fought with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. He was wounded in France and convalesced in England until his repatriation to Canada where he resumed his railroad career. He was married to Sandra Shewchuk on 22nd Feb 1947. Together they raised three children in Thunder Bay.
Bob was an Elder emeritus of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.
Bob was a Mason and a member of Connaught Lodge No. 511 A. F. & A. M. He was a member of Scottish Rite the three bodies of which are Superior Lodge of Perfection, Nanna Bijou Chapter Rose Croix and the North Star Consistory, and he was a member of the Khartum Shrine – Lakehead Shrine Club and a member of the 101 Unit and the Cycos Unit.
In his retirement he always kept busy helping others. He enjoyed woodworking and general property upkeep. He and his brother in-law Bob Arthur spent much time at the church doing repairs, maintenance, and upgrading projects. He, with his beloved John Deere, was also the snow angel of Deepwood Drive. In his later years, he was a well-loved resident of Chartwell and Pinewood Court in Thunder Bay. He had many beloved and caring friends there, including his personal caregiver, Barb, and the staff at Pinewood Court, especially, Chris, Craig and Nikki. He always made them laugh and feel special.
Bob is survived by his wife of 68 years, Sandra their three children, Rick (Sheilah) Burrowes of Calgary, Bonnie (Paul) Johnson of Thunder Bay, Patti (Ed) Bruzzese of Kamloops, his 8 grandchildren, Charlotte, Catherine, Jennifer, Emily, Jessica, Annie, Erin, and Anthony, and 6 great-grandchildren, Everleigh, Sam, Max, Merritt, Isabel, and Maddux.
He was predeceased by his father, Richard Robert (Dick) Burrowes and mother, Kathleen Gertrude Grandsmore and sister, Betty Arthur.
Cremation will take place. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 2, 2015 in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church at 11:00am with Rev. Joyce Yanishewski officiating. A Masonic Memorial Service will be held in conjunction with the funeral. Final interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Donations to the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Restoration Fund would be greatly appreciated.
Richard Burrowes will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 12, 2016.
