Robert (Bob) Desautels
March 31, 1959 ~ September 13, 2017
It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness, that the family announces the sudden passing of Robert Ian (Bob) Desautels, on the morning of Wednesday, September 13, 2017.
Bob was born in Smithers, B.C. to Emile and Elizabeth (nee Strathern) Desautels, he was the middle of 8 children.
He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years Patricia Cleveland, stepdaughters, Anna (Chris) Gaudet, Theresa (Stephen) Coolen, grandchildren; Henry, Charles, Thomas and Eva all of Nova Scotia, two daughters; Lindsey (Tanner) Belina and Virginia Russell, grandchildren; Sera Lynn, Kaleb, Landen, Brandan and Jase, brothers; Barry (Lore), Tim (Laurie), Tom (Joanne), Mark (Gaylene) and sisters; Audrey Kasdorf (Tim), Tracy Frizzi (Tony) and Shelley Brandt (Max), and his aunt, Margaret Clay, all of B.C, and many cousins, nieces & nephews, and many, many good friends.
Bob is pre-deceased by his father Emile, and his mother Betty, as well as his cousin and good friend Dave Wadley.
The family moved from Smithers to Abbotsford while Bob was still young, so many of Bob's formidable years were spent growing up in the Fraser Valley. Bob forged many lifelong friendships with his school chums from Abbotsford, the likes of Brian Ashdown and Lorne Olsen, to name but a few.
The family again pulled up stakes and moved to Williams Lake, in the interior of B.C. in the early 70's, where Bob went to high school, and again, formed many more lasting friendships.
Bob was a man of extremes, leaving B.C. at a young age to travel to Inuvik, N.W.T. to work. Bob worked in Inuvik for many years, spending some of that time working with his older brother Barry. Bob met and worked with many of his lifelong friends, while up north, good friends like Bob George, and Bill Davidson.
It was also in Inuvik, that he met and fell in love with his future life partner and wife, Pat. Bob and Pat left Inuvik together in the early 90's to make their way east, to Musquodoboit Harbour, and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. It was here that Bob found his paradise.
Bob settled into life on the east coast, and helped to raise a second family with Pat. He was the man behind the bar at Toddy's Pub in Musquodoboit for many years, before moving on to other ventures. Here again, Bob's infectious personality and sharp wit drew him together with many more new friends and acquaintances.
Bob, very much like his father before him, had the gift of the gab. Someone once said he could sell a deep freeze to an eskimo.
Bob had a great laugh, an incredible sense of humour, and was the best host ever, but he was happiest when he was with family, and his grandchildren, in the back yard at home.
Bob will be greatly missed, but never forgotten, by his family and his many friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on October 15, 2017, check Dartmouth Funeral Home website for venue and time.
On line obituary www.dartmouthfuneralhome.ca
Dartmouth Funeral Home