Robert James Gillis

April 6, 2016 5 Condolences Print Obituary Send Flowers

1950 - 2016
Adieu, notre cher Robert... A Dieu...
Peacefully, our beloved Bob completed his earthly journey on Saturday, 2 April, 2016. Robert was predeceased by his loving parents and by faithful feline, Cleo. To cherish his memory, he leaves his brother John and extended family, along with his parents-in-law, brother-in-law and family, wife Valerie, son Warren James and by sweet feline, Koko.

We shall greatly miss: 'Our-Expert-of-The-Crossword-Puzzle'; Bob's love for the music of Roy Orbison and of André Rieu; the many culinary delights of 'Chef-Bob-Ardi'; Bob's passion for structural integrity, witnessed in developments throughout our city and province; Bob's life-long enthusiasm for cars; Bob's vast repertoire of jokes and his uncanny recollection for the most obscure of lyrics and poetry.

It is said, "It takes a village to raise a child." We may also say, one's departure to the next realm is assisted with the attentiveness of the village. At every twist and turn in Bob's year of tectonic health, he encountered 'The-Best-of-The-Best' in 'the village's' medical community. For their devotion to the practice of medicine and for their unsparing compassion and wisdom, our family expresses deep gratitude to Dr. Patti Alexander, Dr. Peter Bell, Dr. Sarah Burton MacLeod, Dr. Robin Fainsinger, Dr. Shaheed Merani, Dr. Noush Mirhosseini, Dr. Andrew Scarfe, Dr. Isabelle Vonder Muhll, Dr. Kim Watson and to Dr. James Shapiro. Due to Dr. James Shap-Hero's impressive surgical expertise, precious time was awarded to Bob's life.

Our appreciation extends to the many wonderful, intuitive nurses involved in Bob's care at U. of A. Hospital and at Cross Cancer Hospital, with special mention to Dr. Sarah Burton MacLeod and to e-a-c-h of her exceptional Nightingales in Palliative Care, Unit 43, Grey Nuns Community Hospital.

Bob and family are forever thankful to friends and neighbours for their on-going support and acts of kindness; colleague and friend of many decades, Ed Rasko; the Staff of AECOM and Chris Gentile; mentor and friend of many decades, Ian Muir. These fine people gave much of themselves, adding quality of life to Bob's last year.

In accordance with Robert's final wishes, Cremation has taken place. Please join us on Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., for an Open-House Celebration- of-Life at Trinity Funeral Home, 105 avenue and 116 street, Edmonton. Luncheon. Casual wear encouraged.

Floral tributes are gratefully declined as a certain Koko-the-Kat has dedicated her life to the pursuit of Petal-Origami, Leaf-Weaving, Dirt-Excavation.
Our dear Bob wished to be remembered for having urged us all to:
*Please donate to your local blood bank. *
On an Angel's Wings you were taken
But in our hearts you'll stay
And in God's Light you will  rest
Until we meet again one day...

~ Heaven's Embrace ~
Your long, courageous struggle has come to an end...
We love you, dear Bob.
Rest in Peace, dear Dad. -

  1. I am so sorry to hear of Bob’s illness and death. I always enjoyed working with Bob because of his personality and ability. I knew him over about 12 years when he did excellent consulting for the Edmonton Waste Management Centre before I retired in 2013. His picture in the paper certainly looked like the Bob I knew.

    • Thank you so much, Blake, for your kind message.
      It is greatly appreciated at this sad time…
      The photo in Bob’s obituary was taken summer of 2014, five months prior to his diagnosis of cancer of the gall-bladder.
      You say you retired in 2013, so, yes, that is indeed the Bob you remember AND it turns out to have been one of the last, if not THE last, photo taken of Bob prior to his health decline… (Can you believe it was a work-badge photo taken at a work-site.)
      We hope you & guest will be able to attend Bob’s Celebration-of-Life on April 23rd,
      Open-House, anytime from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, at Trinity Funeral Home, 105 ave. & 116 street
      We would love to meet you, Blake!
      (I’m a big fan of a ‘Blake”… singer, Blake Shelton! Do you know him?)
      Sincerely,
      Val & son Warren & sweet feline, Koko cleoandclan@shaw.ca 780-465-4655

  2. Our condolences go out to Val, Warren and other family members.
    Our son was in Val’s kindergarten class years ago and all of us adored her. We even got to hold little Warren in the park one day with Dynamo Jo.
    We are sorry to hear of Bob’s difficult journey. Hopefully you will soon be thinking of all the great times you spent together.

    • Ellen, your lovely message brought back many, many fond memories…
      How is ‘The-Best-Parent-Helper’ of Edmonton Public Schools?!?
      Gosh, Ellen, how you did step up to the plate to give Nicholas’ Kindergarten Class the best you had to give! Will never forget it! Fun times, eh what??!!
      Hi to: ‘July-14th-Shiny-Haired-Wonder-Boy,’ who, last I heard, has his own dog!
      Years ago, I heard of dear Dynamo Jo’s passing; this saddened me g-r-e-a-t-l-y.
      Hoping you & Les, Nicholas, Brendan can attend Bob’s Celebration-of-Life.
      It would be wonderful to re-connect.
      (If you tell me the boys are married, I’ll faint…)
      Your old pal, Val Gillis 780-465-4655 cleoandclan@shaw.ca

      • Ahh dear Val!! I have often thought of you since you were my Practicum teacher at Windsor Park in the 80s.I was Chris Watson with my blue Tercel you called Christie’s Cloud. So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Sorry I just saw this today while looking for my Uncle’s obituary. Have thought of you lots over the years and would love to reconnect. c_hennes@hotmail.com or on FB Christine Watson Hennes.

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