Robert (Bob) Lloyd Birnie

It is with great sadness that we announce that our beloved husband, dad, grandpa, and brother, Robert “BOB” Lloyd Birnie, surrounded by family, passed away in palliative care in the Neepawa hospital on Oct. 5th, 2023, at the age of 79. Bob was born on June 22, 1944, in Neepawa, MB to Roy and Stella Birnie.

Bob graduated from NACI in 1962. He had been active in baseball and hockey and spent the summers up at Clear Lake riding horses, having fun, and working. He moved to Winnipeg after graduation and worked for Arnett Manufacturing. He married Nina (Kolesar) in 1965 in Neepawa. They had their first daughter Laura Lee in 1966 in Winnipeg. In 1968 the family moved to Neepawa to a little house beside the golf course. They eventually built a home on the site where Bob would reside for the rest of his life. Their second daughter Tana was born in Neepawa in 1969. Bob worked for Dick Foley at Neepawa Food Processors and then eventually became the manager of the plant and hatchery for many years. He obtained his own quota and raised chickens independently until he retired in 1996.

Bob enjoyed curling and golfing and having parties at the house with friends and family; music, bonfires, corn roasts and having the famous deer sausage that he and his friends made. After retirement he got into wine making, gardening, reading, and puttering around outside. He and Nina did some travelling to some warm climates throughout the years. Once he became a grandpa, he enjoyed cutting pathways in the bush for them to explore and he would dress up in costume and sneak up on them. He was so proud of his 5 grandchildren and loved hearing about what they were all up to.

Bob was predeceased by his parents Roy & Stella Birnie, sister-in-law Carolyn (spouse of Bonar), and sisters Jean and Alice Birnie.

He will be forever missed and loved by his spouse of 58 years, Nina, and daughters- Laura Lee Birnie- Chelsea Shearer, Stacey (fiancée Mike Lelievre) and James Shearer; Tana (Greg) Squires- Brendan and Mason. Brother Bonar (Jackie Snider) and children Cole- Serenity and Kingston; Renee Theriault- Shaun, Zoe, Brianna, and Brandon. Brother John (Mary Jo) and children Sheldon (Clara)- Jack and Stella; Alisa (Greg) Mayberry-Winnie and Olive; Ian; Jaydn.

The family would like to thank the Palliative Care nursing staff and Mary Ellen Clark for the care and support they provided to Bob and the family. Thank you to all the friends that reached out to Bob and family during this difficult time.

As per Bob’s wishes, a small family graveside celebration of life will be held at the Neepawa Riverside Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Neepawa Palliative Care Unit.