Bob was taken from us suddenly July 26, 2010 at age 53. Bob was born Nov. 1, 1956 in Toronto, Ontario.
Bob had been struggling mentally and physically from Parkinson’s for many years.
Bob grew up in Chilliwack and enjoyed hanging out with his buddies. Bob was a big car enthusiast, and enjoyed screaming around in his ’69 Camaro, and terrorizing the cops. After doing odd jobs in Chilliwack which included being a car salesman at different locations, Bob ran a restaurant in Vancouver called P.J. Burgers. Then was a general manager of Dutchies Deli in Chilliwack that he ran with Leo Vermette.
Bob then moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he met his future wife Bridgette Nicholson. Bob did his first stuntwork in Phoenix. Bob and Bridgette then moved to Los Angeles California, where there was much more stunt work opportunities, Bob also got to do some stunt driving, which of course he loved, he was such a natural. Bob also got several acting roles. In fact, Bob did the stunt driving in a movie they made in Chilliwack. The local paper interviewed him and put a big picture and article in the paper with title “Successful local boy returns to his roots to film movie”.
Bob and his wife lived right in Hollywood, hence he acquired his nickname “Hollywood”. Bob and Bridgette divorced after a couple years. Bob continued his stunt work and acting roles.
He then met and lived with Marybeth and her 4 children for approximately a year, after they broke up she and Bob remained very close loving friends and always kept in contact with each other.
Bob then got a job at Petersons Publishing where he became the feature editor of one of the top car magazines in the country called Chevy High Performance, where many times he was featured on the cover. While working there, through sponsorships built a supercharged 1993 Camaro, and a 1956 Chevy with nearly 700 horsepower, they were his pride and joy.
The effects of his Parkinson’s was progressively wearing on him all this time and contributed to his leaving Chevy High Performance. Bob moved back to Chilliwack with his motorhome and stayed at Brian Dietrichs for a number of years. They used to be childhood neighbours. At Brian’s, Bob did engine and body detailing and upgrades on top end vehicles. Bob then moved his motorhome to a friend’s house at Cultus Lake. He then got a job in Langley doing the same work on show cars.
The disease was rapidly taking its toll on Bob, and being a proud man it was depressing him tremendously, how it was effecting him mentally and physically and his ability to earn a living. In Bob’s words, it was “devastating”.
Shortly after this Bob made his ...Transition... . Throughout Bob’s life many were witness to observe how extraordinarily talented and gifted he was, and left many people in awe and some in envy.
Bob will always be remembered and missed by his family for his big generous heart, loving fun disposition, love and kindness to all people and animals, encouragement to learn and study, and especially his big warm bear hugs. Many friends also adored Bob. To many of their children he was known as “Uncle Bob”. We are broken-hearted but so grateful to have had you in our lives. ‘Til we meet again – thank you, and love forever.
Bob loved his family very much, especially his sweet lovable mother, and has stated he sees a living angel everytime he sees her face.
Bob is predeceased by his father Donald James Cassell (1925-1987). Survived by his mother Corina Sara Cassell nee (Van der Wouden), sister Juanita Corina Comeau, her husband Frank and her children (born to her and her husband Tom Blackwell of Chilliwack before his passing away in 1987) Corina, Lila, Mary, Angela and Tom Blackwell. Sister Donita Catherine Cooper, her husband Gregory Cooper of Richmond and children, Donetta and Ann-Scarlett. Brother Donald James, his wife Wanda of Newfoundland and children Jenny, Amanda, Grant, Holly and Michael.
We would like to thank the Cultus Lake Fire Dept. and Paramedics. Also the local Chilliwack RCMP and Surrey RCMP for their sensitivity and consideration in handling the situation and family.
The service will be held Aug. 21, 2010 at 1:00 pm, at the Chilliwack Arts Center, 45899 Henderson Ave., Chilliwack, BC. A get-together is planned after and will be announced at service. Any tribute, e-mails can be sent to vernemal@telus.net. Or can be given to MC at the service.