Robert (Bob) Bo Jorgen Backstrom passed away peacefully September 24, 2019, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Bob married his best friend and soul mate Debbie (Conway). Together they raised three wonderful children who will always consider their Dad their hero: Rob (Van) Backstrom, Jennifer (Ian) Ozard and Ron Backstrom. Cherished grandfather to Darien, Kyla, Katherine, Owain, Dannika, Jaxson and Jaelyn. Dear brother of Berit (Terry) Paddison, Sabie (Marcel) Rheume, Christina (Jack) Kelly, Gladys (Don) Myers, Arnie (Carol) Backstrom. Brother-in-law to Dona (Laurie) Hill and Lesly (Scott) Dickinson. He will be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews and his four legged hiking mate Gabby. Bob was preceded in death by his father Arnold and mother Anni (Akersten) of Finland.
Bob was a role model of Christian values for his grandchildren. He was a devoted family man best known for his quick wit, his wonderful dry sense of humour and beautiful smile, his strength of character and dedication to his work and his kindness and compassion to others. . He was the definition of a gentleman—a quiet man who was very proud of his family. Bob loved the outdoors—he was an avid hiker and enjoyed fishing with his friends or just meeting for coffee. He was well known to avoid the ‘honey do’ through the escape of a good book, a lifelong past-time.
Bob was born on March 15, 1951 in Sault Ste Marie. He earned his Commerce Degree at Queen’s University in ’74, his CA in ’76, and his CMA in ’77. Bob had a very diverse and accomplished career. Starting at Peat Marwick Mitchell, then to Algoma Steel as Assistant Treasurer, then he shifted to health care to become the Chief Operating Officer at the Group Health Centre, then moved to education as Superintendent of Business at the Algoma District School Board, then Vice President of Confederation College in Thunder Bay and until he passed, he was the the Superintendent of Business with the Upper Canada District School Board with no plans for retirement. Bob was a distinguished Rotarian in both SSM and Thunder Bay and received the Paul Harris Foundation Pin of Service.
A special thank you to Drs. Nicholas, Cook and Malone at the Ottawa Hospital, the nursing staff of 5 East and the nurses and volunteers at the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice.
Memorial donations to the Arch Hospice in SSM or Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice in Ottawa would be appreciated by the family.
Friends and family are invited to a visitation on September 26 from 4-6pm at Capital Funeral Home at 3700 Prince of Wales Drive which will be followed by a funeral service presided by Rev Phil Kim.
There will be a Celebration of Life Service for family and friends in Sault Ste Marie on Saturday Oct 5 at Willowgrove United Church Fellowship Hall from 6-8pm.
