Obituary of W. Robert "Bob" Sturgeon

William Robert “Bob” passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully at Southlake Hospital, in his 97th year, on February 13th, 2020. Bob spent his final year at The Elden of Bradford, marveling at his view of the changed landscape of his farming days. A stalwart member of the congregation of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, he surveyed the building of The Elden weekly from his pew, and took pleasure in being the very first to select a suite. Beloved father of Carolee (Geoffrey Mason) and Heather (Mark Swallow), cherished grandfather of Caitlin Mason (Tim Allam), Brigid Brown, Robert Brown (Natalie Siegel), Courtney Mason (Matthew McLean), and dearest Great-Grandpa of Harper Allam, Morgan Allam, Juno Brown, and Anna McLean. Bob was predeceased by his wife Doris (Payne), his parents, and his sisters Florence (the late Ken Blanchard) and Jean (the late Robert Doubt) and brother Dyce. Loved brother of Margaret (Grant Britton), and his many nieces and nephews from three generations of the Payne and Sturgeon families. Bob was born at home on the 14th Line of West Gwillimbury on October 8th, 1923, the second child, and eldest son of William Robert Sturgeon and Vaaletta Mitchell Sturgeon. Both families were early settlers in Simcoe and York Counties. All of Bob’s great-grandparents had settled in Upper Canada be-fore 1840. Along with a life in dairy farming, Bob served on Council in West Gwillimbury, and took on the role as Chairman of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, from which he was appointed Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee of the Conservation Authority Chairs of Ontario. In his later years, Bob became an enthusiastic amateur genealogist and local historian. With the advent of the Internet, Bob researched his family roots, and explored the history of Bradford West Gwillimbury, His long life, his prodigious memory and predilection for documenting his many experiences, led him to a role in the authorship of "Governor Simcoe Slept Here", for the BWG Local History Association. Subsequently, he went on to write four books about his life and farming in the Bradford area. A member of the Georgian Bay Steam Club for many decades, he enjoyed his role as chief sawyer. That eagle eye for careful measurements was an asset in the many bonspiels he played with the Bradford and Cookstown Curling Clubs. A special thank you for excellent care to Dr. R. Chun and the staff of the Heart Function Clinic at Southlake Regional Health Centre and the caring nursing staff of the MACU. Thank you to the staff and residents of The Elden for their supportive community and friendship. In Bob’s memory, donations may be made to the St. John’s Presbyterian Coulson’s Hill Cemetery (Restorations). Friends will be received at Skwarchuk Funeral, 30 Simcoe Rd., Bradford for visitation on Thursday, February 20, 2020 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A masonic service will be held under the auspices of Simcoe Lodge A.F. & A.M., No.79 G.R.C. on Thursday at 6:45 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2940 10th Sideroad, Bradford on Friday, February 21, 2020 at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior at the Church. Interment to follow at St. John’s Presbyterian Cemetery, Coulson’s Hill. Online condolences may be made to www.skwarchukfuneralhome.com