BOB EKHOLM

Mr. Robert Douglas (Bob) Ekholm died peacefully on Saturday, November 22, 2025.

Born April 9 (Vimy Ridge Day), 1946 in Port Arthur, Bob lived his entire life in Thunder Bay and surrounding area. His early years were spent on Banning Street and he was proud of his roots in the working-class South End of the city.

He attended Cornwall Public School and Port Arthur Collegiate Institute and proceeded to Lakehead University where he graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree. Following university, he became a reporter, editor and columnist with the local daily newspapers. Along with news and editorial writing, he produced a popular weekly outdoors column, The Bush Beat.

It was while working at The (Fort William) Daily Times Journal that he met Judy Perozzo, in his words the best girl that ever was. They were married in June 1972 and were blessed with three sons, Chris, Eric and Greg.

In his early thirties Bob joined the Canadian Grain Commission, becoming a grain inspector at the local terminal elevators.

Bob always wanted a place in the country and along with family and friends built summer camps at Pike Lake and then Lottit Lake north of the city. His finest, most memorable moments were spent clearing land, building the necessary (and sometimes unnecessary) buildings, digging and tending gardens and especially watching the family grow on their own patch of woodland.

In earlier years, Bob was deeply involved in minor hockey serving as a convenor and coach with the K-C Hockey League. He was one of a group who created the league's development program. Bob's team was the Montreal Canadiens and his all-time favourite player was Jean Beliveau. After two of his sons moved to British Columbia, he also developed a liking for the Vancouver Canucks and very much enjoyed 'going downtown' for games.

Bob spent several autumn seasons with his sons Chris and Eric hunting mule deer and moose in the beautiful forests and ranchlands of the province. Also in the West, he, Judy and then Calgary resident Greg toured the city, attended the Stampede, and hiked in the Rockies.

Bob had a wide range of interests including fishing, gardening, hunting, weekend carpentry and puttering around his home in Jacques Township. Occasionally he did a bit of wood carving and enjoyed cooking and the daily cribbage games with Judy. Later in life he revived an interest in curling and enjoyed the camaraderie of the Loose Ends league at the Port Arthur club. He read a lot, fields of interest being history, biographies, science and nature.

Bob is survived by his wife Judy; sons Chris (Julie), Eric (Kim) and Greg; grandchildren Jack, Eva, Alex and Cameron; his sister Jane (Chris) Todd and their family; Judy's brother Ron (Nancy) and sister Nancy and her family. He was predeceased by his mother, Eleanor Ekholm.

The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to Dr. Aseyev, Dr. Bezanson; the staff of the Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Centre and to family doctor Heather McLean.

The family will gather to reminisce and celebrate a life well lived next summer. Donations to The Nature Conservancy of Canada or The Underground Gym of Thunder Bay would be appreciated.

He is happiest who is content with least.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com