With heavy hearts, we share the news of the passing of our beloved Husband, Father, and Papa, Robert “Bob” Thomas Woods from Thunder Bay, ON. He began his journey to the Spirit World on February 16th while in the embrace of his loving wife and surrounded by his children after bravely fighting cancer.
Born on December 15th, 1947, in Fort Frances, ON, he was the son of Alfred and Emma Woods. After attending Bemidji State University, he moved to Thunder Bay in his early twenties. Bob started a 12-year career as an Ambulance Attendant where he met Ann Marie Mc Grath, the love of his life for 51 years. They tied the knot on August 31st, 1974, in Schreiber, ON. In 1979, he embarked on a policing career and proudly served as a Constable with the Thunder Bay Police Service for 32 years until retiring on March 31st, 2011.
His greatest joy came from being a husband, father, and Papa. The unwavering love he showed along with his guidance and sense of humor will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.
Bob had a lifelong passion for sports including hockey, baseball, golf, and football. His love for hockey inspired him to referee at all levels from minor leagues to professional games. He served as Referee in Chief for Lakehead South Minor Hockey and was also involved with the Thunder Bay Minor Hockey Association as well as Hockey Northwestern Ontario. He enthusiastically attended local sporting events and had a significant impact on the hockey community around Thunder Bay. Over five decades of his life were dedicated to teaching and mentoring many referees.
Music was another great love of Bob’s; he enjoyed everything from Motown to country music-disco to rock-and everything else in between. For many years he worked as a DJ at Party Sound sharing this passion with his children. After retirement, you could find Bob’s kind heart and warm smile at various concerts and community events where he helped with security or assisted others in need. He loved reading newspapers, magazines, and books; storytelling was one of his special talents.
He is survived by: his devoted wife Ann Marie; children Michelle (Mark), Lindsay (Michael), Amanda (Melinda), Colin (Jessy), Evan; and Bob’s little support budgie Feather; grandchildren Mikaela, Jaeda, Norah, Sadie, Saege; Caitlin; Cole; Ethan; great-grandchildren Ben and Evelyn; siblings Jerry Woods (Cathy), Alfreda Easton; Jim Woods (Laura). He is also remembered fondly by many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law (Dan and Lynn; Donna and Joe; Patricia and Ralph; Jim and Yvonne; Maureen and Lars; Heather and Ken), nieces , nephews , cousins , and numerous friends.
Bobby was predeceased by his parents , in-laws Michael , and Rita Mc Grath , and brothers-in-law Thomas Mc Grath , and Jack Easton.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the “Angels” working in the Dialysis unit. A special thanks is extended to Dr. Katrina Ward for her compassion throughout this journey.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday March 13th at 2:00 pm at St. Agnes Church in Thunder Bay , ON.
If you’d like to honor Bob’s memory instead of sending flowers , donations can be made to: Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation-Renal /Hemodialysis Fund , Myeloma Canada , or Pro-Kids Thunder Bay.
You can send online condolences through www. blakefuneralchapel. com.
