Robert J. Putnam

PUTNAM, Robert John 

February 26 – 1929 – April 5, 2025

At 96 years old, Bob lived through the Great Depression, the Second World War, owned a cell phone and even went viral on TikTok all in one lifetime!

As a boy from North Bay Ontario, Bob loved to be “out in the bush” as he’d say, camping for months at a time by himself well into his 80’s.  He was the second oldest of four children and though highly intelligent, he never was one for school. He was small but he was strong, a decorated swimmer. He lived and worked across much of Canada. As a boy he played “rugger” in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia where he remembers the beauty of apple blossom season and his Dad taking him to the Halifax harbour to watch the ships leave for Europe during WWII. He worked on the railroad out East, the nickel mines in Sudbury, ran logs down the Fraser River in BC and worked everywhere in between. He was a do-anything, try-anything kind of guy. He often recalled a story of a time when he worked in the lumber camp and the foreman was shouting for the teamster. As a 16-year-old kid knowing how many more dollars a day that would make him he raised his hand and headed straight for the back of two giant Clydesdale horses who he always said, “had his number” and knew right away that he had no idea what he was doing! It was a short-lived career.  Bob was scrappy and he was a hard worker. He used his muscle and his “Northern” grit to get him all kinds of opportunities to see the country. At one point, when looking for work, he was given an aptitude test where his scores showed an incredible ability for math. On their advice, he made his way to the financial district in Toronto. From sleeping in Union Station that first night, before starting as a runner on Bay St, to learning the securities business he worked his way up in the financial world all the way to the Alberta Treasury where he worked as the bond trading specialist.

But his greatest accomplishment and the thing he was proudest of was his family, his wife Joyce and their three children David, Kathy and Doug. He often recalled funny and wonderful memories of them growing up in Mississauga, from encouraging the creativity of his sons and trying out all their wild business ideas to fostering his daughters love of wild animals, adopting many an orphaned racoon or squirrel.  They were always on some grand adventure. He ensured they saw the world taking them to the Caribbean islands and across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe, always encouraging them to pursue their passions.

At 69 years of age, after the loss of his wife and youngest son, Bob moved back to northern Ontario where he felt most at home. He lived in Elliot Lake and later, Sault Ste Marie where he spent many happy years camping and fishing alongside the best friend he ever had, Carol. In his 87th year, Bob relocated to Rockwood Ontario to be closer to his family.

One of the last big adventures he embarked on was at the age of 92. It was the tail end of the pandemic after having been isolated as a senior and having had a major surgery, he was not as mobile or as well as he once was. He called his granddaughter who was a flight attendant on a Thursday and told her that he had always dreamed of riding a horse in the foothills of the Rockies (although he’d never ridden a horse before) and he was ready to go. She told him “I can do Monday.” (pictured here)

Throughout his life, he had a deep respect for and interest in Canada’s Indigenous peoples and cultures. His appreciation for the outdoors and nature, his dreams of travel, his scrappy hardworking nature, his incredibly unique sense of humour, the way he stood up for what he believed in and how he always fought for the underdog are traits that live on in his grand children and great grandchildren whom he was so endlessly proud of.

Thanks to Hospice Wellington, Bob was able to pass with his family by his side. Our deepest and sincerest thanks to his doctor, nurses, PSW’s, staff and volunteers at Hospice who made such a challenging time so beautiful and peaceful. 

There will be a private memorial with family. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Wellington in his memory are greatly appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Robert J. Putnam in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.