May 28, 1943 - August 15, 2020
With broken hearts we sadly announce the passing of a loving husband, father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather, Bob, who passed suddenly with his loving wife of 56 years, Marnie, at his side holding his hand.
He was 'The Best' father to his daughter, Paula Turner McCartney (Andrew), the center of her universe and she was Daddy's Girl. He was a real life Hero to his son, Brent Robert Alan Turner (Lisa), who sadly predeceased him February 2004.
Papa or Grandpa, always joking and always a fun, warm and gentle friend to Morgan, Joshua and Rileigh McCartney, Ashley Simpson (Justin), Sarah and Hannah Turner, chosen grandson Jason Millhollon (Rachel) and Austin Robert William Turner, his namesake, who sadly predeceased him at 3 1/2 years old on August 13, 1996. He was so proud to be a Great-Grandpa to Hampton and Beau Simpson and chosengreat- granddaughters Eleora, Corah and Seveah Millhollon.
Bob is survived by his sisters Val Naylor (Terry) and Debbie Liska (Steve); brother Kim Dotto (Trish); brothers-in-law Rick Hains, Bill and Scott Campbell; cousins Leona Smith (Art) and
Debbie Comis (Barry); nieces Michelle Tinis (Bonita), Marie Vickery (Mike), Caitlin (Jake) and Emily Campbell, Frederique and Gabrielle Hains, Alison Collins (Rob), Kate Etcher (Clark)
and Laura Dotto; nephews Scott Tinis (Sally), Ben Naylor (Tara) Alex Dotto, Mathew (Samantha) and Ryan (Kristine) Liska; Steven (Cathy), Michael (Cathy) and Scott Turner and many great nieces and great nephews.
Bob was predeceased by his father Wilfred Porter Turner, Mother Cecile Marie Dotto, sister Sharon Tinis, brother Wilfie Turner (Mary Ann), brother in law Wayne Tinis and cousin Bill
Snowden (Shireen).
A Nanaimo 'Native Son', who attended Pauline Haarer and John Shaw schools and in 1961 graduated from Nanaimo Senior High School. 1964 he married Marnie and in 1965
they moved to Terrace B.C., where he joined B.C. Tel, which gave him many stories to tell, including after the incredible snowfalls he had to "dig down to the telephone lines" "dig
his way in, to clean 14 phone booths that he took on as a extra job" and "he built the first car wash in Terrace, when there was only one paved road. Opening day the cars were lined up for two blocks and after a very painful three weeks of hard work, he sold it". They lived in Terrace for two years before returning to Nanaimo in 1967.
In 1973, Bob realized how many people needed jobs, so he retired from B.C. Tel and became a successful entrepreneur and developer. Together, he and Marnie built numerous houses and commercial projects, including Tiffany Gardens and The Executive House next to his favourite Nanaimo Golf Club.
Ever ready for adventure, in 1975 he took his family to Florida, where they purchased a yacht, the "Y-Knot". They lived aboard travelling from Key West through the Bahamas, Mexico, Honduras and the Panama Canal, before stopping for six months at San Diego's Kona Kai Club and heading up the West Coast back to Nanaimo. Bob enjoyed golfing, hunting and B.C.'s beautiful inland waterways, boating and fishing with family and friends, spending all summer on board until his children had to go back to school in September.
International adventure continued in 1980 when Bob moved his family to the Cayman Islands. They continued developing, building homes, apartments and the prestigious condominium complex, Laguna Del Mar. Ever intrigued by the stock market and commodities, Bob took
the Canadian Securities Course and opened Cayman's first private trading company, 'Cayman Commodities'. Never one to be all work, Bob enjoyed snorkeling, spearfishing, fishing and the relaxed Caribbean lifestyle. They also built a second home in the golfing community of Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California where he spent many days golfing and enjoying the desert with family and friends.
Twenty years later, in 2000, Bob again returned to Nanaimo to enjoy his family and life-long friends. He was loyal and generous with a warm smile for everyone he met. He was blessed to recently meet his two great grandsons. The pandemic brought a silver lining where he was able to spend seven months with his wife, daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren together in the Cayman Islands, locked down, making so many happy and lasting memories.
In June he was able to return to Nanaimo where he spent his final days with his golfing buddies under God's blue skies on the green, green grass of Nanaimo Golf Club - His Heaven
on earth. He did it all, he did it in style and 'He did it his way'! Bob's life was full, adventurous, exciting and definitely complete with loving family and friends, but it was just too short and he will be dearly missed. His wife Marnie, will never say good bye.
A special thank you to the Paramedics and Dr. Newcombe and the NRGH emergency room team, who prayed and worked diligently to keep him with us. Bob gave it his all and a team member said, they'd never seen someone work so hard to live.
A Celebration of Life will be held when all who loved and cherished him can attend, at which time Bob will RIP in the Cedar Memorial Gardens together with his son, grandson and family.