Born August 2, 1942, in Victoria, BC, Bob passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 5, 2023, in Victoria. Beloved eldest son of the late Robert and C. Dorothy Dodds of Salt Spring Island, BC. Predeceased by his eldest sister Marie (Dance) (Win) Skretka (Ed). Survived by his wife of 58 years Joyce; children Daniel (Nicole) and Denise; sisters Donna Dodds, Valerie Gustafson (Al), Lynn Koett (Gary); brother L. Mark Dodds (Jan); grandchildren Madelyn, Elyse, Dylan and Jack; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob spent the majority of his youth on Salt Spring Island. He was a heavy-duty mechanic by trade, receiving his training in the Royal Canadian Air Force (1962 to 1970). He met Joyce during his placement at Cold Lake, AB, and they were married there in 1965. Shortly thereafter he whisked his bride off to Europe, serving there for three years before returning to Canada (Winnipeg, MB). He moved to Fort McMurray, AB in 1973 and spent over 20 years there, raising his family and working in the oil sands industry, primarily as an owner-operator of a hydraulics repair business. He later returned to Cold Lake to semi-retire as a bison farmer. While there were many ups and downs over the course of 10 years on the farm, he truly cherished this period of his life, raising a sizeable herd of 500 beloved “buffies.” He briefly returned to “pulling wrenches” in Bonnyville, AB afterwards, before moving to Duncan, BC to be closer to his siblings and fully retire in 2014. Over the course of his life, he enjoyed stints as a teacher of mechanics courses at various locations across the Prairies and loved giving back to the community in this way.
Retirement was not overly kind to Bob, as he endured a stroke, colon cancer, and dementia. Despite these obstacles, he enjoyed volunteering his mechanics skills at Providence Farm and the Forest Discovery Centre in Duncan. He also loved his daily walks along the Crofton boardwalk with Joyce, often finishing with an ice cream treat (and “helping” Joyce with hers).
A heartfelt thanks to the staff at Island View Place Care for the care Bob received over the last year. Thanks also to Bob’s siblings and their spouses for their love and support always, but especially over the past year. Thanks for all the visits, afternoon drives, and ice cream!
A Funeral Service will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 2:00pm, with a reception thereafter. The interment will be held at St. Mark’s north cemetery, 261-111 Baker Road, Salt Spring Island, on Sunday, September 3, 2023, at 3:30pm.
Flowers gratefully declined. Tributes, if desired, may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation (heartandstroke.ca).
To view the service, please click the video below:
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
-
Melanie
-
Joan Longley Dear Danny, Nicole and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad and Grandfather. May our Heavenly Father surround you with His strength, comfort and peace.
-
Sue Kilvington We were Bob and Joyce’s neighbours here in Maple Bay. We always enjoyed getting together with them for coffee and hearing about their bison farm. Bob always had an interesting story to tell. Condolences to Joyce and all the family. Rest in Peace Bob.
Sue and George Kilvington
Maple Bay, B.C.
-
Stephanie Koett Bob was one of the few who actually made me feel like family. I’m glad my kids hold positive memories of our pioneer restaurant days. Thankful always to have met a soul who could see past all delusions and keep things simple and crystal clear with his insight. A gift few teachers we meet along the way can offer. Condolences to the family and I sure hope they have bottomless ice cream for him on the other side.
-
Georgina Tweed I’m very sorry Danny, Nicole and family.
Danny, Denise and Family
Lovely legacy. Thank you again for the honour of Caring for your Dad. May he rest peacefully with his “buffies”.