Peacefully at the Pembina-Manitou Health Centre on Sunday October 22, 2023 Bob Oakes of Miami, MB passed away at the age of 75 years.
He leaves to mourn his passing his wife Cathy; children Amy and James (Melissa); grandchildren Sophie and Sara; and grand-puppy Maggie. He is also survived by his sisters Norma and Diane; brother-in-law Doug (Donna) Bruce; and numerous nieces and nephews as well as his aunt, Vivian Shelton and many cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents Les & Pearl Oakes and his parents-in-law Jim & Margaret Bruce as well as his niece Cindy Titchkosky.
Bob was born on March 7, 1948 in Glenboro to parents Les & Pearl Oakes. Bob was raised on the family farm SE of Miami along with his siblings Diane and Norma. He spent his childhood and teenage years working on the farm, curling, and playing hockey and baseball.
He attended Miami School and then decided to continue his education at the University of Manitoba where he graduated in 1969 with his Diploma in Agriculture. His education and experience led him back home to the family farm. In the 70s, Bob decided to get his pilot’s license. He bought a plane and enjoyed flying around and even went as far as Regina.
In 1979, he married the love of his life, Cathy Bruce. They then welcomed their 2 children to the world; Amy in 1981 and James in 1983. Over the years, they took many family camping trips with friends and traveled to many hockey and curling rinks.
Sports were a big part of Bob’s life. He spent a big part of the 80s in the curling rink. He started golfing men’s league in Roland until the Miami Golf Course opened up. He was also an avid Jets fan and was excited to hear of their return to Winnipeg in 2011.
Years ago, Bob decided to join the fire department. He was hesitant at first but it became very important to him very quickly. He took his level 1 training in 1991 and participated in many training exercises over the years. He spent many of those years as a captain before retiring in 2018. He was proud to have devoted 40 years of service to Miami Fire & Rescue.
Bob always looked forward to his annual hunting trip to Belmont with his dad and cousins. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and also got to share a few of these expeditions with James. Another hobby of Bob’s was traveling. He enjoyed many trips with Cathy and Jim & Donna. Some of the trips that he enjoyed were Mexico, Arizona, Nashville, Parksville, Osoyoos, Toronto, and a Caribbean cruise.
In 1996, Bob retired from farming and started working at his brother-in-law Doug’s farm, Rivertrail Potato. He enjoyed planting and digging potatoes and working in the shop during the winter. He retired in 2013 and continued to enjoy golf. He also enjoyed seasonal camping at Pelican Lake and then later on at Stephenfield Lake Resort. His granddaughters Sophie and Sara occupied some of his time with tea parties, reading books, colouring and watching their tv shows.
We will always miss his unique humour and will forever cherish our memories with Bob.
We’d like to thank the health care professionals at the Pembina-Manitou Health Centre as well as all of the family and friends who have helped and supported Bob’s journey.
A Come & Go Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 27, 2023 from 2-4pm at the Miami Community Hall. Private interment will take place at the Miami Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Miami & Area Foundation or to the Canadian Diabetes Association.
He leaves to mourn his passing his wife Cathy; children Amy and James (Melissa); grandchildren Sophie and Sara; and grand-puppy Maggie. He is also survived by his sisters Norma and Diane; brother-in-law Doug (Donna) Bruce; and numerous nieces and nephews as well as his aunt, Vivian Shelton and many cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents Les & Pearl Oakes and his parents-in-law Jim & Margaret Bruce as well as his niece Cindy Titchkosky.
Bob was born on March 7, 1948 in Glenboro to parents Les & Pearl Oakes. Bob was raised on the family farm SE of Miami along with his siblings Diane and Norma. He spent his childhood and teenage years working on the farm, curling, and playing hockey and baseball.
He attended Miami School and then decided to continue his education at the University of Manitoba where he graduated in 1969 with his Diploma in Agriculture. His education and experience led him back home to the family farm. In the 70s, Bob decided to get his pilot’s license. He bought a plane and enjoyed flying around and even went as far as Regina.
In 1979, he married the love of his life, Cathy Bruce. They then welcomed their 2 children to the world; Amy in 1981 and James in 1983. Over the years, they took many family camping trips with friends and traveled to many hockey and curling rinks.
Sports were a big part of Bob’s life. He spent a big part of the 80s in the curling rink. He started golfing men’s league in Roland until the Miami Golf Course opened up. He was also an avid Jets fan and was excited to hear of their return to Winnipeg in 2011.
Years ago, Bob decided to join the fire department. He was hesitant at first but it became very important to him very quickly. He took his level 1 training in 1991 and participated in many training exercises over the years. He spent many of those years as a captain before retiring in 2018. He was proud to have devoted 40 years of service to Miami Fire & Rescue.
Bob always looked forward to his annual hunting trip to Belmont with his dad and cousins. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and also got to share a few of these expeditions with James. Another hobby of Bob’s was traveling. He enjoyed many trips with Cathy and Jim & Donna. Some of the trips that he enjoyed were Mexico, Arizona, Nashville, Parksville, Osoyoos, Toronto, and a Caribbean cruise.
In 1996, Bob retired from farming and started working at his brother-in-law Doug’s farm, Rivertrail Potato. He enjoyed planting and digging potatoes and working in the shop during the winter. He retired in 2013 and continued to enjoy golf. He also enjoyed seasonal camping at Pelican Lake and then later on at Stephenfield Lake Resort. His granddaughters Sophie and Sara occupied some of his time with tea parties, reading books, colouring and watching their tv shows.
We will always miss his unique humour and will forever cherish our memories with Bob.
We’d like to thank the health care professionals at the Pembina-Manitou Health Centre as well as all of the family and friends who have helped and supported Bob’s journey.
A Come & Go Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 27, 2023 from 2-4pm at the Miami Community Hall. Private interment will take place at the Miami Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Miami & Area Foundation or to the Canadian Diabetes Association.