Obituary for Robert George Stooke
Robert George Stooke
December 6, 1926- February 12, 2021
Robert (Bob) Stooke was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, youngest child of Dolores and Richard Stooke. He was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth (Betty Murrison) with whom he shared 60 loving years. He cared for her for 15 years through her extended illness. He is survived by his sons, James (Pary), Murray (Troy), Brian (Vicky), and Richard (Patricia); six grandchildren, Thomas (Daria), Christine (Kurtis), Zachary, Katie Andrew and Ian. He has four great-grandchildren, William, Cecelia, Tessa, and Sawyer.
Bob is also predeceased by his brother, William (Bill) and sisters, Margaret Stark and Joan Ward and their spouses, Peggy, Al and Bert. He is lovingly survived by over 70 nieces and nephews, their partners and children, and the memories of those in this beautiful extended family. Most important to Bob was his family – he treasured knowing everyone’s news. While fiercely independent, in his later years Bob was lovingly supported by his caregiver, Rosemary.
During the depression around 1930, the family moved to Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, to be closer to extended family supports, and he treasured his many happy memories there. Bob’s ancestors included English seafarers and Red River Métis via his paternal grandmother, Margaret Henderson, oldest daughter of Maria Henderson. Bob met Betty through his sister Joan, while Betty and Joan were nursing together in northern Saskatchewan. Bob and Betty then married in Meadow Lake in 1953.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Henry Richard Stooke, sister Margaret and brother Bill who had all joined the Second World War effort, Bob became a boy soldier, joining with the Canadian Technical Training Corps/Canadian Army, in October 1944. After basic and orientation courses in Saskatoon he was trained as an armourer. He was released back to civilian life at the end of WWII and became the projectionist at the Meadow Lake Theatre. After a brief period, he re-enlisted and joined Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) where he served until December 1977. Some of his military career highlights were his service overseas during the Korean War with the 191st Canadian Infantry Workshop (also the company barber!), the 1st Surface to Surface Missile Battery in Germany 1964-67, and was the maintenance company Sergeant-Major with the United Nations Emergency Force II 1975-76 in Egypt. Bob received many military honours: Canadian War Medal 1939-1945; NATO Special Services Medal – 1 bar; Canadian Peace Keeping Medal, and the Canadian Forces Decoration – gold bar, to name a few. The deep relationships created during Bob’s military career lasted his lifetime and were very precious to him – he was very dedicated to his soldiers.
After his retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces, Bob worked for the Bank of Canada from 1978 to 1987. Following his retirement from the Bank of Canada he served as a community volunteer for Revenue Canada for over 25 years. He also served with RCEME Association in various committee roles, including President, and was active with friends in the Royal Canadian Legion in Calgary, Branches 264 and 285.
Bob’s sense of humour, his attachment to family and all his relations, as well as his pride in serving Canada with his compatriots were the markers of his life. Farewell dear man.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted by cheque to: Secretary/RCEME Heritage and Museum Foundation, 1756 Windflower Way, Orleans Ontario K1C 5Y5 (note in memo line: RCEME Museum, in memory of CWO (ret’d) Bob Stooke).
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Bob, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
December 6, 1926- February 12, 2021
Robert (Bob) Stooke was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, youngest child of Dolores and Richard Stooke. He was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth (Betty Murrison) with whom he shared 60 loving years. He cared for her for 15 years through her extended illness. He is survived by his sons, James (Pary), Murray (Troy), Brian (Vicky), and Richard (Patricia); six grandchildren, Thomas (Daria), Christine (Kurtis), Zachary, Katie Andrew and Ian. He has four great-grandchildren, William, Cecelia, Tessa, and Sawyer.
Bob is also predeceased by his brother, William (Bill) and sisters, Margaret Stark and Joan Ward and their spouses, Peggy, Al and Bert. He is lovingly survived by over 70 nieces and nephews, their partners and children, and the memories of those in this beautiful extended family. Most important to Bob was his family – he treasured knowing everyone’s news. While fiercely independent, in his later years Bob was lovingly supported by his caregiver, Rosemary.
During the depression around 1930, the family moved to Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, to be closer to extended family supports, and he treasured his many happy memories there. Bob’s ancestors included English seafarers and Red River Métis via his paternal grandmother, Margaret Henderson, oldest daughter of Maria Henderson. Bob met Betty through his sister Joan, while Betty and Joan were nursing together in northern Saskatchewan. Bob and Betty then married in Meadow Lake in 1953.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Henry Richard Stooke, sister Margaret and brother Bill who had all joined the Second World War effort, Bob became a boy soldier, joining with the Canadian Technical Training Corps/Canadian Army, in October 1944. After basic and orientation courses in Saskatoon he was trained as an armourer. He was released back to civilian life at the end of WWII and became the projectionist at the Meadow Lake Theatre. After a brief period, he re-enlisted and joined Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) where he served until December 1977. Some of his military career highlights were his service overseas during the Korean War with the 191st Canadian Infantry Workshop (also the company barber!), the 1st Surface to Surface Missile Battery in Germany 1964-67, and was the maintenance company Sergeant-Major with the United Nations Emergency Force II 1975-76 in Egypt. Bob received many military honours: Canadian War Medal 1939-1945; NATO Special Services Medal – 1 bar; Canadian Peace Keeping Medal, and the Canadian Forces Decoration – gold bar, to name a few. The deep relationships created during Bob’s military career lasted his lifetime and were very precious to him – he was very dedicated to his soldiers.
After his retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces, Bob worked for the Bank of Canada from 1978 to 1987. Following his retirement from the Bank of Canada he served as a community volunteer for Revenue Canada for over 25 years. He also served with RCEME Association in various committee roles, including President, and was active with friends in the Royal Canadian Legion in Calgary, Branches 264 and 285.
Bob’s sense of humour, his attachment to family and all his relations, as well as his pride in serving Canada with his compatriots were the markers of his life. Farewell dear man.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted by cheque to: Secretary/RCEME Heritage and Museum Foundation, 1756 Windflower Way, Orleans Ontario K1C 5Y5 (note in memo line: RCEME Museum, in memory of CWO (ret’d) Bob Stooke).
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Bob, please visit www.choicememorial.com.