April 29, 1948 - October 4, 2024

Forever Missed ~

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of our brother and uncle, Bob McQueen, on October 4, 2024, at Comox Valley North Island Hospital.

Bob worked very hard to overcome one complication after another after his heart attack on July 30, 2024. He was incredibly strong and stoic, but we could see his light slowly fading. He passed very peacefully and with much dignity, surrounded by the infinite love of his family by his side.

Bob was born at St. Joe's Hospital in Comox on April 29, 1948 to George and Nellie (Pratt) McQueen. He was the second son, there were three more boys after him. At that time they were living in Union Bay, staying there til about 1957 when they moved to Oyster River. That home was only for a short time. They moved to the long time family home on Cooke Ave in Comox in 1958.

Bobby started his work career early in life after being asked to leave school in grade ten. We did hear quite the stories of his antics in school. Bob always said he told the principal to shove school up his ass and left. Once our Dad heard that he was out of school, it was off to work in camp with Dad at Camp Ten (Elk River Timber).

Bob started on the rigging crew but soon decided that mechanics would be better. So, off to Nanaimo Vocational School he went for Heavy Duty Mechanics. He served his apprenticeship at Camp Ten (Elk River Timber). After he finished there he was off to Kelsey Bay Logging (M and B). Gold River Logging approached him to come as Night Foreman in the Shop. This started his 20 year career there ending as Master Mechanic for both Gold River and Zeballos. Bob returned to the Valley to work for Ronnie Coulson as a Mechanic and Jack of all Trades. Bob's second career was in wood working so he spent time at Dave's Wood Working on Cousin's Ave in Courtenay. From there he set up Shop at his home on Idiens Way building fences and arbors until the day he became sick. Bob's handy work can be seen all over the Comox Valley and especially in Crown Isle.

Bob was a mechanic by trade, but he had a passion for cars and trucks besides logging equipment. He started buying nice cars when he started working in the logging industry. A Z28 was the first one, then he bought a beautiful Pontiac Beaumont. The last car was a Chevelle Coupe. He always let Barry drive those cars or trucks. He'd say "Take her for a joyride and tell me what you think."

Then the trucks started coming along. His favorite was a 2500 GMC Camper Special, he had so much pride in that one, with the Darben Camper on it. This was the only time we saw Bob really relaxing, enjoying himself. He was working all the time. During those days off camping, he liked to fish and have a cold beer. Sitting on a stump watching the bobber bounce up and down in Campbell Lake.

Bob and Barry used to take the DonEd out, it was a commercial fishing Putter that Dad built in the 70's. They made some money but it wasn't much. Dad took half for the boat. The Putter is still in Comox to this day ....... lots of good memories! As we got older, Bob got married, for a short time, so our time together was less. Barry went to the Queen Charlotte's to work then Victoria. But in the last couple of years, Bob asked Barry to give him a hand at his Shop. He couldn't keep up with all the work so, we knew then that Bob was getting tired.

It was a really good reconnect for the guys. It was amazing how Bob connected with people that he had orders for, his patience with his customers. His fences and Cedar works will remain as some of the best ones around the Valley. Bob, all your customers that you have touched over the years, they will miss you, at your shop and around the Comox Valley. Love, your brother and your friend, Barry.

Bob loved his family more than anything. His eyes always lit up like a Christmas tree whenever the kids came around. Never had kids of his own, but the 10 nieces and nephews and 24 great nieces and nephews, meant the world to him. Whenever we got together or if he'd pop by, he'd get the kids all wound up, toss some coins at them then go home. He'd get a big kick out of that. His brothers, well, they are his best friends. They would call each other all kinds of things, but if there was ever a need, he'd be there. It was always entertaining being around the McQueen brothers.

Bob, you faced so many extremely hard hurdles these past 2 months. You amazed everyone by your strength to continue, but your light slowly faded. What you faced was not something you would have ever wanted. We never ever wanted you to leave us but it was so incredibly hard to watch your daily struggles. We are so thankful you are at peace now, and with Ed, and Mom and Dad. We love you very much and miss you terribly. We will see you again.

Bob was preceded in death by his Dad in 1995, his Mom in 2011 and his youngest brother Ed in 2023. He is survived by 3 brothers. George (Linda), Barry (Jan), Don (Kathy) and sister-in-law Diane. Also survived by 10 nieces and nephews and 24 great nieces and nephews. He loved his family so much. We will love him always and forever.

We thank the many outstanding critical care teams that tried so hard to give Bob a fighting chance at life. From our hospital's ER and ICU at the start, then the Critical Care Transport Team that took him to RJH in Victoria. The wonderful, caring CCU who stabilized him enough to enable him to have the massive open heart surgery he needed. The extended time he had in CVU at the RJH with that incredible team, then back to CCU, then to ICU.

All this time though, Bob just wanted to come home. So, thank you Dr. Ovakim at RJH and your team for making that happen. We were able to get Bob back as close to home as we could, where he finally found peace with dignity. Dr. Gravelle and the amazingly honest, caring, kind, compassionate and extremely experienced and knowledgeable team in our ICU helped him reach this. They also had lovely and respectful humor and always treated us, the family, with those same sensitivities. The Health Care System was outstanding for our Bob.

There will be a Celebration of Bob's Life held at Crown Isle on November 2, 2024 from 1 -4 pm. Please join us to give this great brother and uncle of ours, the amazing tribute he deserves. We also thank Ronnie Coulson for helping us with our tribute to Bob.

We respectfully ask, if you are able to, to let us know if you think you can make it. You know us McQueen's, we always have to have lots of food at gatherings. We thank you for that.

Kathy's email: 9kapper@gmail.com