ROBERT JAMES "BOB" THACKER

Robert "Bob" James Thacker passed away on January 11, 2026, at the age of 78. Born in Hamilton on September 9, 1947, to Art and Bernice Thacker, he spent his early years in Grimsby, then Costa Mesa, California, before moving to Toronto where he was part of the inaugural graduating class at Newtonbrook Secondary School. He subsequently obtained a degree from York University, and later an MBA. In 1974, Bob married Carol Lambert, his high school sweetheart. They were blessed with a daughter, Cheryl, before Carol passed away in 1984. He was lucky enough to find true love again, marrying Lesley Lindley in 1988, and welcoming her children, Rebecca and Richard, as his own. Bob and Lesley shared more than 37 wonderful years together, in Unionville and then Leaside, enjoying many travel adventures together. Bob worked at the TTC for nearly 40 years, starting with a summer job washing buses at the Eglinton Yard. After completing university, he joined the TTC full time, where he worked in human resources, labour relations and other management roles, including supervising subway operations. He spent most of the later part of his career leading and working to expand Wheel-Trans. Upon his retirement, "Grandpa Bob" devoted countless hours to his four treasured grandchildren, while also volunteering at the Vancouver Olympics, Toronto Pan Am Games, the Canadian Open and the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre. He also enjoyed connecting with old friends, improving his golf swing, taking up photography and other new hobbies, and spending time with his brother, Ron, catching up on life and "solving the world's problems." A music lover and avid sportsman, Bob's greatest passion was track and field. Later in life, he returned to long distance running, completing the Boston and Chicago marathons in the early 2000's and, twenty years later, coaching Cheryl when she ran them. "Coach Bob" continued sharing his passion for track with young athletes at the University of Toronto Track Club, Leaside High School and Bessborough Drive Elementary & Middle School, passing on his decades of running wisdom to them. Bob passed while doing what he loved: out for his daily run ("now more of a jog-walk," he would say, while still keeping the pace of a man half his age). He enjoyed great health, vitality and spirit until his final day, greeting everyone – old friend or new – with his trademark smile, sunny disposition and words of encouragement, helping see them through both good days and bad. Bob was a man who gave his love, friendship, kindness and support generously to everyone in his orbit; those fortunate enough to have received it will carry it with them as they continue on their run. He is greatly missed by his cherished wife, Lesley; his devoted children, Cheryl Armstrong (Chris), Rebecca Lindley (Jel) and Richard Lindley; his four grandchildren, Emily, Ella, Maisy and Annabelle; his brother, Ron (Kathy); and a large extended family. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Toronto Cricket Club (141 Wilson Ave.) on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. The family is establishing an athletic scholarship at Leaside High School in Bob's honour.