Obituary of Robert Almond

BIOGRAPHY ALMOND ~ Robert "Bob" Martin Almond passed away peacefully at the Lloydminster Hospital, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at the age of 54 years. Bob will be sadly missed by his children: Devon and Chris and their mother Gayle ; his mother Trudy Almond of Lloydminster; and siblings Duane and Rosemary Almond of Lloydminster, Jeannine and Doug Heath of Paradise Valley, Don and Deb Almond of Kelowna, Denise and David Inge of Lloydminster and Simone Miske of Sherwood Park. His in-law: Beth and Art Goodhope, Nancy and Ernie Kitteringham, Diana and Dennis Noyes, Susan Goodhope, Dan and Bernadette Goodhope and their immediate families. Bob also leaves behind a large number of co-workers and friends that he has made over the years. The prayer service was conducted from the St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. with Father Jan Sobkowicz officiating. The mass of Christian burial was conducted from the St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Friday, October 24, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. with Father Jan Sobkowicz officiating. The eulogy was read by Don Almond. The organist was Rosemary Almond. Active pallbearers were Duane Almond, Don Almond, Doug Heath and David Inge. Interment took place in the Lloydminster City Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. Eulogy as given by Don Almond It was only a few months ago we were all gathered here to celebrate the life of our father, grandfather and friend Jim Almond. We are again all gathered here this time to mourn the loss of a father, son, brother, uncle and friend Bob Almond. We celebrated the life of Jim as he had 85 years of pain free-living and died peacefully. We mourn the loss of Bob at the young age of 54 which consisted of his final three years being a slow painful death. We all watched Bob aged from 51 to 85 years over the past three years as the horrible and epic disease of cancer spread throughout his body and aged him ever so quickly. The pain and suffering that he experienced over the past three years, especially the last year, is over as he is now in the everlasting resting place, we all seek, with God our Almighty Father, brother Derek and Dad Jim. Bob was born on January 4, 1954 in the Lloydminster General Hospital. He attended Grade 1-12 in the Lloydminster School District. He attended Kelsey in Saskatoon where he achieved a diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology. This diploma enabled Bob to start his career in the oil industry where he spent over 30 years, moving back and forth between Calgary and Lloydminster. Bob enjoyed his work in the oil industry. While working in the oil industry Bob also owned two quarters of land which he farmed. Farming was his hobby, he was a farmer at heart. He was hoping to retire from the oil industry in a couple of year's, at which time he was going to try to enjoy the good things in life. Besides his work he enjoyed curling. He participated in many bonspiels in the Lloydminster area throughout the winter months. Year around he loved cars. He was always scouring the auto trader and local papers looking for an under valued automobile that he could buy, drive for a while then resell for a profit. He knew the car market that's for sure. Most of all though he was a Ford Mustang lover. Through the years he owned many Mustangs and two years ago he purchased a brand new Mustang that he was only able to enjoy for a short period of time. Bob had a tough life even before cancer struck. He suffered two broken legs one from playing slow pitch and the other when he was pinned between two vehicles one of which was still in motion with no driver in it. Then there was the motor vehicle accident where he was attempting to cross a four lane section of Highway 16 in his work truck and was broadsided at 60 mph by another vehicle. Miraculously he walked away from that accident. When he was 12 years old he was riding his bike on Highway 17 and was attacked by a dog. This incident left him the trade mark we all knew, a chipped front tooth. In his high school years he was very athletic. He was a track star, played on the high school football, basketball and volleyball teams just to name a few. He was very proud of his two sons, Devon who successfully completed a Masters degree in Business and is working for Athabasca University and Chris who is now doing his family Medicine Residency in Red Deer. Last Tuesday was the first time Bob admitted defeat to cancer. He told us he was going to die this week. Even though no one knows when their time will be up, Bob, somehow knew how much time he had left. He also mentioned a few day ago that other people were waiting to see him. Today he is with them. Bob, we will all miss you. You left us way too soon. One day we will be with you again. Card of Thanks The Family of the late Robert (Bob) Almond would like to thank the Lloydminster Hospital Staff and for the wonderful care you so compassionately provided for Bob during his 3 month stay. To Norma Monk-Tetz for the comfort she provided for Bob. To Rosemary Almond for the gift of music. To the brothers and brothers in-law as acting pallbearers. To the CWL Ladies for lunch. Special Thank-you to all those who attended, sent cards, flowers, donations, phone calls, brought food and visited our homes. To Glenn McCaw and McCaw Funeral Service for their quality care. Devon Almond, Chris Almond, Trudy Almond, Duane & Rosemary Almond, Jeannine & Doug Heath, Don & Deb Almond, Denise & David Inge & Simone Miske. Donations in memory of Bob may be made to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Foothills or to a charity of the donors choice.