We are deeply saddened but are happy to have known, “Grampa Bob” and “Grama Norma” as our two children nick-named them and send our deepest sympathy and condolences out to Norma and all those who knew and loved Grampa Bob so much

Sincerely,

Nicole, Austin, Eva & David Henbrey

Reading these lovely tributes to Bob makes me very sorry that I didn’t know him better, as his cheerfulness and service to others shines through so beautifully, and is so inspiring. I’m grateful that Gail kept the rest of us, here in Ottawa, connected to Bannerman news over the years, and we did have John and Nadine here for a time. My sincere condolences to Norma and all of the family.

My most sincere sympathy to Norma, Ginny John, Rob and families. Bob was just one of those special Gems that made this old world a better place to live. I was in Cardiac Care at the Loughheed when I read the news or I would have been at Bob’s celebration of life.

God’s blessings to all of you.

Dear Norma, Ginny, John, Rob & Family:

So sad to learn of Bob’s passing. I have the fondest memories of my years at Bannerman Insurance, I learned a lot about good people doing good work in the service of others while working there. Values I use to this day. He was a good man, a patient teacher, a fair employer and will be missed by all who knew him.

Dear Norma, Ginny, John and Rob and families

We were so sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. He was such a gentle, nice and caring man, and a superior volunteer in so many areas – a shining role model we should all strive to emulate. Your family were the best neighbors we ever had and it was our privilege to call him our friend.

Bob will be missed by so many, and always fondly remembered. May God bless you all and bring you comfort and peace in the many happy memories you have of a wonderful husband, father and grandpa.

Our sincere sympathy to all of you at this very sad time. Our love, and prayers Dennis and Donna Flanagan

Dear Norma Ginny and families: Our sincere sympathy at the passing of one of the pillars of the insurance world. Bob was a person who everyone looked up to. His work with the Agents and Brokers will never be equalled. I am sorry I could not attend the funeral because we had company however my thoughts were certainly with you.

Frank & Doreen Easton

Dear Norma, Courtney and I were very sad to hear of Bob’s passing. We have many fond memories of our time together at your 50th wedding anniversary celebration. We have always looked forward to receiving our “Bannerman Bulletin” each year at Christmas time. Courtney and I loved hearing about your adventures and were amazed by all that you and Bob accomplished in a year. We were especially inspired by all the volunteer and charity work. Bob’s love for his family was evident in those updates as well. We will remember Bob’s laugh and his sense of humour the most I think. Love to Ginny, John, Rob and your families as well. Lindsay

Norma, Ginny, John, Rob and the entire family, my heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to you during this time and always. When I learned of Bob’s passing a flood of memories surfaced. Your entire family made a huge impression on me and Bob will be sadly missed and fondly remembered…..

Always,

Frances Lang

Our thoughts and prayers are with Norma and all of the family at this time.

Love,

Donna, Dave, Nicole and Jacqueline Williams

We were deeply saddened to learn of Bob`s passing. We have been friends since 1967.

Frances and I wish to express our deepest sympathy to Norma and all the family. We are glad we were able to spend so many wonderful times with Norma, Bob and family both in Calgary and Camping at Twin Echo. Hope to see you at the funeral tomorrow.

Kindest Regards,

Don & Frances

(Re. Dr.Don MacMahon)

We are saddened to hear of the loss of your Dad. We hope that fond memories bring you smiles amongst the tears, that eventually the hole that is left behind becomes smaller.

Our thoughts are with you.

Kevin, Lisa, Quin and Eli

Bob’s life of love and service set a remarkable example for everyone he knew. He enriched the lives of everyone at Connaught School. Every Tuesday morning for the last 16 years, Mr. Bob could be found in our classrooms. He was busy helping children learn to speak English; he was helping them learn to read; he was helping them engage with books in meaningful ways. Bob knew how important these skills are to children new to Canada. But Mr. Bob brought so much more than a passion for literacy to Connaught School; he brought his passion for people. Smiles and hugs really are the international language. Mr. Bob was a native speaker of smiles and hugs; so are the children of Connaught School. Our students come from 53 countries and speak 43 languages; many of them have not seen their grandparents since they left their home countries. Every Tuesday morning Mr. Bob talked with them; he read with them; he smiled at them and hugged them, just like a grandparent would!

To Norma and all Bob’s family, thank you for sharing Bob with us for all these years. He will be deeply missed. To Bob, God bless you and keep you.

A Good man has left us. We have known him since we started business with his father Jack, many years ago. Always available for things for the community. I cannot make the funeral, but will think of all of you at that time.

Rogers & Joann Lehew

Bannerman family

Please accept our condolences at this time. Our parents, Dorothy and Stew Robertson, always spoke so highly of Bob and Norma and appreciated Ginny’s many kindnesses when Bob retired. The cookie recipe on page 100 continues to be a favourite for the next generation of our family. Thinking of you.

Michael Robertson and Leslie Birrell

May God be with you during this time of loss. Bob and your whole family have given much to the community. It is much appreciated.

Dear Norma and family

I was so sad to read about Bob in the Herald on Friday. It has been a joy to know Bob and to be associated with him at CESO, where his work was diligent and much appreciated. He really was a “prince of a man” with a good sense of humour and always positive thoughts about friends and family. He will be greatly missed by you all, the community, the Church and particularly his young students at Connaught Community School.

I send you my deepest sympathy along with those of his many colleagues at CESO (Caanadian Executive Service Organization.)

Yours sincerely,

Bertha Davis

To Norma, Ginny, John & Robert, Our Sincere condolences. I will always remember Bob as the most distinguished and trusted insurance person that I know. He was great to do business with, a great source of information and inspiration and he will be greatly missed by all of us.

Frank Rigby

We had the pleasure of knowing Bob briefly as he & Norma lived across the hall from my parents and then moved into their former apartment at Staywell Manor. Bob was the friendliest man and so kind to my Mother after Dad’s passing. Most recently he sent her a letter as she is in hospital. Always thinking of others before himself I suspect. He was delightful.

I know you’ll have many wonderful memories of your husband, father and grandfather and I know how missed he will be. Our heartfelt sympathy.

Toni & Paul Trudel

I remember so fondly Bob and his delight reading with the children in the Connaught library. The love was mutual as he shared so many of his experiences, while engaging in the students’ stories. Bob will be missed but not forgotten.

Betty Evans

Ginny and Don

Sad to hear of your father, father-in-law passing. My thoughts are with during this difficult time. Ken

Dear Norma and family,

Max and I are so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. It leaves such a void in all of our spaces.

I have never met a man who was so attentive, so positive, funny and kind. I first met Bob at Scarboro United Church, and had the pleasure of serving with him on the Scarboro United Church Outreach Committee.

I last saw Bob on Sunday, not realizing that God had given us one last magnificent opportunity to enjoy one another’s company. Bob’s humour brilliantly outshone anyone else’s in his midst.

I am so lucky to know Bob and Norma. They are the most friendly, unpretentious people one could meet – the dewdrops of our morning, the sunshine in our hopes, and the love in our smiles.

At this moment though, I wish Bob back, as I already miss him so.

All my best to Norma and her family. You are such very special, splendid people.

Love,

Claudia, Max, Quentin and Saphira

Dear Norma and Family:

Bob was always admired for his cheerful personality and his contributions to his community and profession.

He was also greatly respected by his “friendly competitors” in the insurance industry.

Jim and Doris Garner

It is with such sadness that we read today of Bob’s passing. To Norma and all the Bannerman family, we send our condolences. I will always remember Bob as a cherished fatherly figure with an endless supply of deliciously-wacky jokes, told with finesse. From all of us: Joanne Good, Brian and James Craig

Rob, Lisa and family

We were saddened to hear about your father’s passing. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

With deepest sympathy

Carolyn and Del and family

Dear Norma’

I was so sorry to hear of Bob’s death. His help with the Children’s Cottage Cookie Cookbook was invaluable. Neither of us had sold and distributed books before but Bob’s optimism and “can do” attitude was most infectious and pushed us forward to success. I was so grateful for his kindness.

My condolence to you and the family.

This message is from all the Gaunces …we have been sharing memories of the love and fun times we have had with our Western family.

We are so sorry for all of you to have this wonderful, always smiling and loving man taken from you.

To Harry and Glenna he is the exact definition of a true Friend.

We shared a love of the Lord and know Bob is smiling down now while busily getting to his first task of the day.

We are so very glad that we had our special recent visit, spending so many wonderful days together. We were able to relate so many memories of all our times together. We love you, Norma.

Glenna and Harry

Dear Norma, Ginny, John, Robert and family

Fernando and I were so sad to hear of Bob’s passing. I remember Bob as a kind and very funny family man. He loved his family so very much and was an inspiration to us. He reminded me so much of my own dear Dad. You are in our thoughts at this difficult time.

Love Penny and Fernando DiGirolamo

It was an honor & a joy to have known Mr. B. He exuded such genuine warmth and kindness and I don’t think I ever saw him without a smile on his face. He will be missed!

Our thoughts and our prayers are with you all

Leslie & Family

Very sorry to hear about Bob. I worked at Bannerman Insurance back in the late 90’s. Bob was retired at the time but would stop by the office on occasion. He always had a smile on his face. My condolences to Norma and the extended Bannerman family.

Dear Norma and family,

May you find solace in your hearts full of memories. We hold you in our thoughts and prayers.

Blessings to you,

Vera May & Krista

Bob was my father Bruce’s first cousin, whom I saw perhaps only ten times in my life because we live in Vancouver. But those times have left me with the best memories of a wonderful, caring, funny man who always made us feel special. He sent us the Bannerman letter and photos every Christmas with a lovely personal note. I’ll always remember the way Bob took photographs – with the camera at odd angles and when you least expected it, and with great humour. And that was before digital cameras when most people were too worried about wasting film. I will really miss Bob. I’m consoled by the fact that he had such a good, long happy life. All my love to Norma, Ginny, John and Rob and their families.

Lorra and Maia in Vancouver

Dear Norma & family,

We are deeply saddened to read of Bobs passing. Many times over the years we have shared great conversation, fond memories and delicious cups of tea, Norma.

Bob was a great story teller and conversationalist and a kind and gentle individual.

You and your family are in our thoughts at this time.

Dear Norma & Family:

Our sincere condolences! It was only last Sunday that Bob gave me a strong healthy handshake at the front door of Scarboro.

Life obviously has been very good for you and Bob…I hope that your memory of all the good times will make it possible to readjust and go on, appreciating the long relationship you and Bob so enjoyed.

Sincerely, Don & Linda Snow

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend Bob’s Scarboro memorial service!

Joe & I had the pleasure of meeting & getting to know Bob & Norma over the past year as my father Ray Burton is also a resident at Staywell Manor. Bob was always happy & always had a moment to speak to us. We will miss seeing him when we go there. Our thoughts are with Norma & her family at this sad time. Joe & Ellen Walchuk

My husband JM and I were also priviledged to know Bob and Norma from Staywell. When we would visit my father Ray Burton, we were always sure to get a warm smile and greeting from Bob. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Norma and

all of Bob’s family during this very difficult, sad time. Terry and J.M. Raymond