ROBERT WOODS

It is with great sadness and immense loss that we are announcing the passing of our dear Husband, Father and Papa, Robert "Bob" Thomas Woods of Thunder Bay, ON. He began his journey to the Spirit World on February 16th, 2026 in the arms of his loving wife and surrounded by his children after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on December 15th, 1947, in Fort Frances, ON, son Alfred and Emma Woods. He attended Bemidji State University and then moved to Thunder Bay in his early twenties. He began his 12-year career as an Ambulance Attendant, where he met the love of his life of 51 years, Ann Marie McGrath. They married on August 31st, 1974, in Schreiber, ON. In 1979 he started his policing career where he proudly served as a Constable with the Thunder Bay Police Service for 32 years until his retirement on March 31st, 2011.

His pride and joy was being a husband, father, and Papa. His unwavering love, guidance, humor, and friendship with his family will be deeply missed.

His love of sports was lifelong. This included hockey, baseball, golf, and football. Bob's love of hockey led him to refereeing at all levels from minor to professional hockey. He was the Referee in Chief of Lakehead South Minor Hockey, Thunder Bay Minor Hockey Association, and the Branch Referee in Chief for what is now Hockey Northwestern Ontario. He attended all the local sporting events with great enthusiasm and had a tremendous influence on the hockey community in and around Thunder Bay. He was a teacher and mentor to many referees over five decades of his life.

He loved music, Motown to country, disco to rock and everything in between. He was a DJ at Party Sound for many years and shared his love of music with his children. After his retirement, Bob's kind heart and warm smile could be found at many concerts and community events, working security and helping others. He was an avid reader of newspapers, magazines, and books. He was a wonderful storyteller and keeper of all knowledge.

Left to cherish his memory are: his loving wife Ann Marie; children Michelle (Mark), Lindsay (Michael), Amanda (Melinda), Colin (Jessy), Evan, and Bob's special little support budgie Feather; grandchildren Mikaela, Jaeda, Norah, Sadie, Saege, Caitlin, Cole, Ethan; great grandchildren Ben and Evelyn; siblings Jerry Woods (Cathy), Alfreda Easton, and Jim Woods (Laura). Also left to cherish his memory are his much-loved sisters and brothers-in-law (Dan and Lynn, Donna and Joe, Patricia and Ralph, Jim and Yvonne, and Maureen and Lars, Heather and Ken), nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Predeceased by his parents, parents-in-law Michael and Rita McGrath, and brothers-in-law Thomas McGrath and Jack Easton.

Thanks to the many "Angels" in the Dialysis unit. And a special thanks to Dr. Katrina Ward for her kindness and guidance.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, March 13th at 2:00 pm at St. Agnes Church, Thunder Bay, ON.

In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to: Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation-Renal /Hemodialysis Fund, Myeloma Canada, or Pro-Kids Thunder Bay.

On-line Condolences may be sent to www.blakefuneralchapel.com