DECAIRE, Robert (“Bob”) Bernard
On September 17, 2024, Robert (“Bob”) Bernard Decaire in his 80th year passed with his family by his side at the Lennox and Addington County General Hospital after a sudden accidental injury. Loving Father to Debra (Percy Vine), Lori (Francisco Imperio) and Dave (Courtney Rolston). Proud Grandpa/Papa to Matt (Melissa), Mitch, Ethan, Evi, and Great Grandpa to Lily, Jason, and Jackson. He adored his family, and they adored him right back.
Born November 17, 1944, in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Bob moved to Toronto in 1965 to work for the Ministry of Transportation. While working in Toronto Bob met and married his “favourite redhead” Betty and they started a family.
In 1967 he became a proud member of the Ontario Provincial Police. He started his career in Lancaster, Ontario then moved his family to Elk Lake, Ontario (where all the black flies are) and in 1978 to Burk’s Falls/Sundridge, Ontario (fewer black flies, more mosquitos). He retired from the OPP in 1986. In 1988 he went back to school and started a career as a realtor for Newman Real Estate/Coldwell Banker where he was the recipient of numerous awards. Bob retired in 2018 and moved with Betty to Napanee to be closer to family.
Never at a loss for words and always equipped with a funny story or joke Bob was the life of the party. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and talking to anyone within earshot. Betty describes her husband, Bob as her “diamond in the rough,” pinnacle of the family and true friend. As a father, Dad was the person who kept us safe, taught us lessons (whether we wanted to learn them or not) and made us laugh. He was the standard we held ourselves to and the one we all rallied around. In his passing we have learned to lean a little more on each other and of the importance of gathering more often as when we are together, he is here with us too.
We would like to thank everyone for reaching out to us during this difficult time. You have made a very heavy load a little lighter.
A Celebration of Life will be held next summer in Sundridge. Details will be announced in the Spring. We hope to see you there to share a funny story or two. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. And then it’s amazing again. And in between the amazing and awful it’s ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That’s just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it’s breathtakingly beautiful.”
~ LR Knost
