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Robert HAWKINS Obituary

Published by Vancouver Sun and/or The Province from Dec. 29 to Dec. 30, 2012.

HAWKINS, Robert
Robert (Bob) William James Hawkins (82), passed away December 16th, 2012, in North Vancouver, B.C. Robert valiantly fought lung and brain cancer for many months. He died peacefully surrounded by family members. Robert is predeceased by his loving wife Shirley Hawkins, brother Ronald Hawkins, sister Vay Oliphant, & daughter-in-law, Matia Hawkins. Robert is survived by three sons, Scott (Cheryl), Colin, & Grant (Josie), grandchildren, Robert, Karah, & Sean & great- grandchildren, Kalebb & Tristan, brother Allan (Sonja) & family, sister-in-law Kay (the late Ronald) & family, & the family of the late Vay & late Bill. Memorial Celebration: Jan. 14th, 2013 at St. Agnes Church, 530-12th Street East, N. Vancouver; 10:30 service, 11:30 a.m. reception. Express your condolences at remembering.ca.

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Recent Activity

December 15, 2014

Phoenix & Josie Hawkins posted to the memorial.

January 2, 2013

Ruth Ain posted to the memorial.

January 1, 2013

Someone posted to the memorial.

16 Entries

Phoenix & Josie Hawkins

December 15, 2014

It has been almost two years to the day that you left us on your next big adventure. We miss you very much but the wonderful memories we shared remain in our heart. We will raise a glass or two in your honour tomorrow, December 16th.

Ruth Ain

January 2, 2013

What a gentle man. We were all so fortunate to know him. My sincere condolences to the Hawkins family.

January 1, 2013

Than you Bob for your sunny disposition, your jokes and your interesting stories. Since you moved to Vancouver we have shared many good times...and some challenging games of Chinese Checkers. You were a force to be reckoned with!
We miss you,
Glennys and Paul
North Vancouver

Bob at Ambleside, "living the life of Rilley, and I'm only half Rilley", as Dad always use to say.

Grant Hawkins

December 30, 2012

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Ralph & Beth Gray

December 30, 2012

Scott, Colin, Grant and families. we were very sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad He will be missed very much by all who knew him.

Abi Tur

December 30, 2012

Bob,
Thank you for being in my life. Above all things let us never forget that mankind constitutes one great brotherhood; all born to encounter suffering and sorrow, and therefore bound to sympathize with each other.

My condolences to your family,

Fraternally,

Bob and Baby Gage (mother Angela) the oldest and the youngest in the Hawkins family, photo courtesy of Sonja & Al

Grant Hawkins

December 29, 2012

Grant Hawkins

December 29, 2012

Bob and Grant at Ambleside

Grant (Phoenix) Hawkins

December 29, 2012

Alan H Swain

December 29, 2012

My condolences go out to your family Bob.I did not have much chance to get to know you. Only having met, when you joined Capilano lodge and we were Officers together last year.
Alan Swain

Lois Hughes

December 29, 2012

I met Robert when we bought the house next door to his parents in the early 50's in what was then called Kinnaird. We remained friends with Bob. It seems too soon to say good bye. My heart goes out to all the family members.

Dennis Kennedy

December 29, 2012

I worked with Bob for many years in Edmonton and Calgary while at Pacific Western and Canadian Airlines.
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
My sympathies to the Hawkins family.

December 29, 2012

My deepest sympathy. Know that we are thinking of you all. Love Jeff and Sophie

Bob Milburn-Brown

December 29, 2012

I enjoyed our time together on the Mens' Club bus trips. We had a lot of fun and I have great memories.
My condolences your wonderful supportive famly at this difficult time.

Josie Loehrich

December 29, 2012

I had many joyful times with Bob in both Vancouver and Calgary as well as Maui and Puerto Vallarta.

One of my favorite memories with Bob is sitting down at John Lawson Park in West Vancouver, on a beautiful sunny summer day at the beach. Grant (Phoenix), Bob and myself ate our picnic lunch, drank coffee, read our newspapers, and just enjoyed each others company while listening to the gentle music of the blue water waves, and looking out over the wonderful scenery of sea, of ships, and of beautiful downtown Vancouver.

Simple times but great pleasure!

We will greatly miss you Bob. You were a light in our life. You showed courage throughout your battle with Cancer and massive determination in Rehab after each stroke. You never, ever gave up. You rarely complained and always had a joke or a smile throughout this difficult end-of-life journey. You were an inspiration to me and others.

Love and hugs
Josie

December 29, 2012

Hi all... Please take some time and enjoy this extended version of my Dad's biography...

ROBERT (BOB) WILLIAM JAMES HAWKINS
February 13, 1930 - December 16th, 2012
Robert William James Hawkins, passed away on Sunday December 16th, 2012, at 9:30am in the morning at the age of 82 at the North Shore Hospice, North Vancouver.

Robert valiantly fought lung and brain cancer for many months. He died peacefully surrounded by family members.

Robert (Bob) was born February 13th, 1930 in Wolseley, Saskatchewan, the eldest child of four, and first son of three, to Leowen Rilley and Robert Arthur Lesley Hawkins.

For 12 years he lived in Saskatchewan. He went to Carrot River Elementary school and lived with his grandparents in town to avoid the 5 mile horse ride to school each day. The family later moved north to White Fox and Nipawan. In 1943 his father got a job in Trail, B.C. and moved the family there. Bob went to Trail High School. There he met his wife, Shirley May Hawkins (nee Oliphant).

Bob and Shirley were married in Trail in 1957 and later moved to Calgary in 1959 where Robert studied at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and received training for an adventurous career as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Bob's career spanned over 35 years.

After graduating from SAIT Bob and his family lived in Calgary, where he worked for Pacific Western Airlines. Hearing rumours about potential layoffs, Bob left PWA, moved his family to Edmonton and starting working for Associated Helicopters. Later, Bob returned to work with Pacific Western Airlines, which soon became Canadian Airlines, and then Air Canada. In1971 Bob moved his family back to Calgary where he remained for 38 years.

Bob's work in the aviation industry spanned over 35 years and took him to places such as North West Territories, Baffin Island, and mining camps in Norman Wells. He was proud to be a part of working on the the Dew Line Trail.

Bob's 's job within the Airline Industry had great perks. Bob and Shirley enjoyed travelling all over the world. Among their travels were trips to Great Britain, Rome, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico and Hawaii to name just a few. Bob loved talking about every detail of each trip. His memory of them was vivid and the stories funny, interesting, educational and historical.

When Bob wasn't working he was actively involved, since 1974, as a member of the Masons, in both Calgary and Vancouver. He was very involved in activities with the Anglican Church in Calgary.

After his loving wife, Shirley, passed away, Bob decided it was time to live out on the West Coast. He sold his house and moved to North Vancouver in 2009 where he found an apartment with an amazing view of downtown Vancouver and “his” Victoria Park.

During the 3 ½ years he lived in North Vancouver he became very active in many activities at the North Shore Neighbourhood House, such as bus tours and tai chi, as well as at John Braithwaite Community Centre. Of particular joy was his membership in the John Braithwaite Men's Club, where every week a group of great guys got together to travel about town like tourists, participate in cooking classes, or play games of Wii or bowling . This new comraderie with the North Shore Tai Chi & Qigong Group, Men's Club, the Cardiac Class, and the Weight Room at John Braithwaite was his new lifeline in this new town.

Bob is predeceased by his loving wife of 51 years, Shirley Hawkins (2008), brother Ronald Hawkins (2003), sister Vay Oliphant (1985), & daughter-in-law, Matia Hawkins (2011).

Bob is survived by three sons and two daughter in laws: Scott (Cheryl), Colin, & Grant (Josie); grandchildren: Robert, Karah, & Sean; great-grandchildren: Kalebb & Tristan; brother Allan Hawkins (Sonja) &family, sister-in-law Kay (the late Ronald) & the family of the late Vay & Bill.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so on January 14th, 2013 at St. Agnes Church, located at 530 12th Street East, North Vancouver. There will be a 10:30 service and a reception at 11:30am. We hope you'll join us.