Obituary of Robert Lawrence Walter Godfrey

With great sadness, the family announces the passing of Robert Godfrey on Saturday, September 3, 2016. Bob was predeceased by brothers, Wilfred and Lesley; ex-wife Maxine Godfrey; and partner Mary Edwards. He is survived by sons, Myles (Michele) of Toronto, Daryl (Karen) of Regina, and Todd (Kelly) of Saskatoon; and grandsons, Nelson (Jenn), Connor (Kayli), Spencer, Michael (Christine), Bradley (Stacey), and Dustin. Bob is also survived by his sister Gladys (Maggie) Roger; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and the many friends and honorary nieces and nephews who knew him as Uncle Bob, Bob, Red or Big Red. Bob was born to Horace and Irene in Biggar, Saskatchewan, after brother Wilf and before brother Les and sister Gladys. They soon moved to Saskatoon, where Bob attended Thornton school and Tech Collegiate. He followed in the footsteps of brother Wilf in playing for the Hiltops on the offensive line. Bob left home for the logging camps of British Columbia and other odd jobs before settling back in Saskatchewan working for SaskTel. He met and married Maxine Nelson and they formed a 30-year partnership to build and maintain a home, raise three sons, and enjoy travel throughout North America with family and friends. During his time on the road crew, he began working as a shop steward and eventually became president of the Saskatoon local of the Communication Workers of America, and was involved in establishing the Communications Workers of Canada. The union and the NDP were, after family, the two great causes of his life. He believed in helping his fellow man and raising living standards for all. From an early age, Bob enjoyed golf, any activities that involved water or music, especially if they included family and dogs. Annual summer vacations alternated between camping trips to Emma Lake in Saskatchewan, various lakes in B.C., and visits to family in Calgary and Victoria. During these vacations, Bob was the tireless pilot of the community boat, putting in many hours per day behind the wheel, and all of his siblings, sons, nieces and nephews learned to water-ski under his steerage and guidance. Once or twice a day, Bob would get his own turn on the skis, often with calamitous (hilarious) results. His was typically the first and the loudest laugh. In his 40’s, he took up downhill skiing on the heels of his sons, and winter skiing vacations soon became annual adventures for family and friends. Love, laughter, and the odd rum and coke flowed in abundance. After retirement from the union and divorce from Maxine, Bob moved to Victoria, where he adopted nieces and nephews from BC, and some of their friends, as his surrogate children. He also developed a long term relationship with Mary Edwards of North Battleford, with whom he lived for a short time before her death. Bob was a fountain of energy, with a fearless thirst for adventure. He made his last (failed) attempt at barefoot water-skiing at the age of 60, and he downhill skied with his sons and grandsons until the age of 78. Bob travelled far and wide, mostly to visit family, and this included visits throughout Canada and the USA, to England and Ireland, as well as to Ghana and Tanzania in Africa. In recent years, he also visited the Bahamas, Costa Rica and Mexico with his sons. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff and residents of Victoria Park Personal Care Home, who made his final years with deepening dementia bearable. When family would show up though, the light would return to his eyes and a smile would brighten his face. A Celebration of Bob's Life will be held at the SaskTel Pioneers Club, 2106 - 1st Ave, Regina, SK on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. At the request of family, in lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada, 20 Eglinton Avenue West, Ste. 1600, Toronto, ON M4R 1K8.