On Monday, January 25, 2010, Robert (Bob) Johnson of Hudson Bay, SK., passed away at the Level IV
Care facility in Hudson Bay at the age of 87 years.
Bob was born on May 15, 1922, at Eyebrow Saskatchewan to parents Robert and Marion. He was the
oldest in a family of nine (4 boys, and 5 girls). He attended Winfield school in Eyebrow until the age of
11 when he moved with his family to the Neely Lake district, northeast of Weekes, where he completed
his schooling. His mailing address was at McElhanney until after WW2 when it was switched to
Weekes. Bob enlisted in the army and while taking basic training he married Elsie Wilson of the
Neely Lake district on May 8, 1943. Shortly after that he was sent overseas with the Princess Louise
Dragoon Guards where he saw action in Italy and other parts of Europe. His first child was born while
he was in action in Italy.
After the war… Bob came back to the Neely Lake district where he farmed, worked in the bush, and
occasionally did carpentry work. While living on the farm, Bob and Elsie raised five children. They left
the farm, and moved to Hudson Bay in June, 1991. In October of that same year Elsie passed away. Bob
continued on alone keeping his house neat and tidy. In Aug, 2005, the sewer backed up and flooded
Bob's basement. This was an overwhelming challenge for him, so his youngest son, Roger, moved in to
help out. This arrangement lasted until May, 2009 when Bob moved into Level-4 Care, where he
remained until his passing.
Bob was always a horseman… a cowboy at heart. He would have been quite satisfied if tractors,
combines, and automobiles had never been invented. Bob's favourite horse was a saddle horse named
Steel. He never tired of telling or re-telling stories about Steel. He took great satisfaction in his ability to
handle even the most difficult team of horses.
He also had a favourite tractor. He owned a few tractors over the years, but he boasted most about his
second tractor, which was a McCormick Deering - W4. That tractor was almost as good as his horse
Steel, especially after he rebuilt the engine and installed the sleeves and pistons for a Super W4.
Bob enjoyed working with wood. He built all his own buildings on the farm, including his new house in
the 1960s. Later when he had more time he made a few items of furniture, a chest of drawers, a
headboard, a coffee table, etc. He also built a few miniature items as ornaments, such as a wagon, a
caboose, rocking chair, wishing wells, etc., plus many carved picture frames. Bob made a miniature
wishing well for nearly every member of his family. His wishing wells were also purchased and supplied
as gifts to some MLAs in Regina one year.
Bob was a good cook. Nobody could make pancakes or cookies better than Bob. After retiring, he
cooked many excellent full course meals for his family… at Christmas, New Year's, Thanksgiving, or
any other occasion when he could get his family together.
Some of Bob's best qualities were patience, gentleness, devotion to his family, the willingness to help
others, and a good sense of humor. Bob had a very distinctive laugh, which many will remember. When
he laughed everyone would laugh with him.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, his wife Elsie in 1991, his brother Ken, sisters Mil Wilson and
Elaine Savage, and many brothers & sisters in law.
Bob is survived by his children: Linda (Bruce) Hodgson of Melfort, Shirley (Don) Hazelton of Calgary,
Bryan of Hudson Bay, Judy Brown in Vernon, B.C., and Roger of Hudson Bay. 10 grandchildren, 10
great grandchildren, two brothers Wayne - Flin Flon and Bryan (Pat) - Prince George, and three sisters;
Laurine Goy - Porcupine Plain, Rose Strand - Hudson Bay, and Marj Blackmur - Saskatoon, sister-in-law
Dorothy Stewart, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral service was held on Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 1:00 P.M., in the Hudson Bay Legion
Hall, with David Silver officiating. Interment took place in the St. Andrew’s Cemetery. Active casket
bearers were: Chad Hazelton, Keith Hodgson, Kurtis Hodgson, Troy Powlan, David Stadnek, and Paul
Upton. Honorary bearers were mentioned as “All Those Who Have Shared In Bob’s Life”. The eulogy
was delivered by Blair Babyck. The Hudson Bay Royal Canadian Legion performed a commemorative
service and an honour guard. Following the funeral service the Hudson Bay Legion served lunch.
Memorial donations in memory of Bob may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan.
Funeral arrangements for the late Robert “Bob” Johnson were entrusted to Blair’s Funeral Home Ltd.,
Hudson Bay, SK.

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