McPhee, Robert “Bob” - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert “Bob” McPhee, age 94, on May 29, 2024. Born in 1929 in West Gore, Bob was a son of Hope and Roberta, and one of nine siblings.
Beginning in the late 1940s, Bob worked for approximately ten years constructing houses in the Port Wallace and Dartmouth area, including the original Mic Mac Tavern. For the next 25 years, he worked at Purdy Brothers as a carpenter and later as a foreman. Following his time at Purdy Brothers, Bob was employed by Veinot Construction until his retirement. However, this retirement lasted only six weeks as he did not enjoy the downtime and returned to work at the dockyard. After another unsuccessful attempt at retiring, Bob ended up doing handyman and carpentry work for Sullivan Apartments until he finally decided he was ready. Even during retirement, Bob enjoyed doing odd jobs around the house. He undertook a major project that continued for many years, stubbornly digging out the cellar by hand through dirt and rock to create an immaculate 24x10 workspace with headroom for tinkering. He was proud of his house renovations and called East Petpeswick his home for over 20 years.
Bob loved music; he played the piano and guitar and was an avid fiddle player at local dances until he married. In his later years, he enjoyed listening to old-time music and dancing and was a regular at dances, fiddle competitions, and jamborees throughout the Maritimes with his partner, Glenda. He took great pleasure in talking with family, friends, and his morning coffee group at Tim Hortons. Bob’s storytelling and handiness will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his children, Mike (Nancy), Danny (Darlene), and Velvet; his life partner, Glenda Jennings; her children, Darlene, Cheryl, Danny, and Anne; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Karl, Anna, John (Ruby), and Ross Graves (foster brother).
Bob was predeceased by his wife, Marjorie (Bernard); children, Robert (infant), Christopher, Peter (Corrina), Wendy Hawboldt (Kip) and Carol (Kris Sonnichsen); and siblings, Helen, Eddie, Joan, William, and Rosalie.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Petpeswick Yacht Club, 434 East Petpeswick Road, on Saturday, June 8, from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm.
Donations may be made to the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.
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