Robert Williams

Robert James Williams

AKA: Bob, Jim, RJ, Jim-Bob, Robert, Dad, Grampa



Friday, July 13, 1951 - Tuesday, September 19, 2017



Bob passed peacefully surrounded by his loving wife of 45 years, Mary Anne (nee Marett) and their 3 sons, Andrew (Deb), Mike (Chantal), Mathew (Tracey) and nephew David Ford. Bob loved being Grampa, Pa Pa and will be greatly missed by his special grandchildren, Tessa, Mackenzie, Emmett and Greyson. Sadly he could not hold on for the birth of twin grandchildren expected in October. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Jim and Jean and by his twin sister, Roberta. Bob is survived by his loving sister Jeanne (Doug) and nephews Richard (Lesly) and Christopher. Bob was truly blessed with a tight family circle and many good friends. Frank, Gordon, Larry and John, all close friendships he cherished.

Bob worked for 40 years at the same address but under many different company names. He began his career as a summer student at Wm. Neilson’s Ltd., a chocolate manufacturer where his father worked and his grandfather before him. He was third generation there and very proud of it. Bob served his apprenticeship as a millwright and then did 10 years of night school graduating with Honours and achieving an Award of Merit from Ryerson Polytechnic. During this time Bob continued working and started his family. Bob retired from Cadbury’s in 2010 as Manager of Engineering. He was well known in the industry and had earned the respect of his peers for his knowledge and his fairness in all his dealings. After renovating his home he decided to become an engineering consultant and successfully ran a small business until his health started to fail and he was unable to work.

Bob spent a great deal of time at Princess Margaret Hospital over the past 14 months and was twice in the palliative care ward 16P. All the people who work the floor from service staff to doctors are wonderful, caring people. Generous with their time and go out of their way to ease a patients’ and family’s fear and worry. We thank each and every one of you, you truly are the best!

Bob's family asks in lieu of flowers a donation be made to a special fund for the refurbishing of the patient/family lounge at Princess Margaret Hospital, a room that was very much a part of Bob's life at PMH. Please make your cheque payable to: The Palliative Care In Patient Unit (16P), Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. On the memo line please write: In memory of Robert Williams and mail it to: Princess Margaret Hospital, 610 University Ave. Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Attention: Patricia Murphy-Kane.

Visitation will be at Ward Funeral Home, 2035 Weston Road on Monday, September 25, 3 - 8 pm; Tuesday September 26, 2 - 4 and 6 - 9 pm. The Memorial service will be held at Central United Church 1 King Street, Weston (just south of Wards) on Wednesday, September 27 at 11:00 am.