Robert William Deley

Mr. Robert William Deley, age 94 years, resident of Thunder Bay, Ontario, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, on March 14th, 2023. Born on April 30th, 1928, in Port Arthur, Ontario, he was raised and educated in Shabaqua, Ontario.

It was around this time that he contracted Polio which layed him up for over a year. He was told he might never walk again but he persevered by learning to ride a bike again. Two years later he was working as an oiler on a steam shovel in Atikokan, Ontario.

He was employed in many different types of jobs over the years, heavy equipment operator, transport driver and hoisting engineer. He became a member of the International Union of Hoisting Engineers and worked many jobs mostly out of town. In his early years he worked for CN as a car knocker responsible for checking all the cars in the yard to match his switch lists. He worked in both Neebing and Port Arthur yards.

In 1992 he retired after 49 years and set out to travel around Canada and the USA. He also had a passionate interest in trains and would be seen around town, with his son, trying to find them.

Robert is survived by his children, Douglas (Lorraine), Debra (Loy), grandchildren, Bryan (Rose), Tyler (Paris), Steven (Shumane), Tanya (Nathan), six great-grandchildren, sisters Edna and Mary. He was predeceased by his wife Ruth, parents William and Lena, brothers Peter, John and Richard, sisters Caroline and Helen.

The family would like to pass on our sincere thank you to all the nurses and staff of 3C, with a special thanks to Jillian and Nichol as well as the nurses and doctors in the emergency room. Everyone was so caring and understanding, going out of their way to make sure he was comfortable.

Cremation has already taken place and as per his wishes no funeral service will be held. The family will hold their own private celebration of life at a later date. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the March of Dimes.

Condolences may be made
through www.nwfainc.com