(Bob)
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Bob Raffle. Husband, father, (great) grandfather and friend, Bob passed away with loved ones by his side on Sunday, December 13th at Chilliwack General Hospital after a recent struggle with cancer.
Bob was born in Nanaimo in 1928 and moved to New Westminster as a child where he lived much of his life. A plumber by trade, he worked at Royal Columbian Hospital for 37 years. Upon retiring, Bob and his wife Ann (1928-1996) moved to Promontory Lake Estates in Sardis where Bob avidly pursued his love of golf.
Bob loved sports (both watching and participating) and was a top player of the Nanaimo IWA Timbermen Lacrosse Team in 1956 when they captured the Mann Cup (Canadian Lacrosse Champions). This was one of his great achievements and something he has been proud of ever since.
Bob and Shirley were married in 1998, having 11 wonderful years together. They golfed together, traveled together, cooked and entertained together – not to mention their friendly (but competitive!) daily crib game.
Bob is pre-deceased by his first wife, Ann.
He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley. He will be sadly missed by his children Joann (Chester), Tom (Wanda), Jack (Miriam) and his grandchildren Nicole (Karl), Mark (Kirsten), Jeffrey, Bryce, Tyler, Connor and his great-grandchildren Abby and Nathan and brother-in-law Bob (Shirley). Bob is also mourned by Shirley’s family: daughters Barbara (John), Kathy (Bob) and Nancy (Alex) and his acquired grandchildren (many of whom called him their Papa Bob): Doug (Jennifer), Devon (Linli), David, Emily, Reece and Jesse and great-grandchildren Zachary and Thaydn.
Bob’s death will be felt deeply as he was loved by many, including O.A.P. friends, golfing buddies and neighbours at Promontory Lake Estates.
Shirley and Bob’s family would like to thank Drs. Smith and Struebel and the third floor nursing staff at Chilliwack General Hospital and Drs. Brown and Costantino and all the nursing staff and volunteers at Tertiary Hospice Palliative Care Unit in Abbotsford. They also extend many thanks to Father Dale Yardy and Deacon Larry Adkins for their faithful visits to Bob.
A memorial service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held Monday, December 21, 2009 at St. John’s Anglican Church, 46098 Higginson Road, Sardis, B.C. at 11:30 am. Reception to follow at the Club House of Promontory Lake Estates, 6001 Promontory Road.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Online condolences can be left at www.hendersonsfunerals.com