son Bob's eulogy

GOODBYE TO THE 'GO TO GUY'

by his son, Bob Bowes,

read at the funeral by Bob's daughter Cindy

Life is so very special and today we are here together, some in spirit, to celebrate a very special life and to say goodbye to one of the most kind, gentle and well liked people most of us will ever chance to meet.

He was the GO TO GUY, the one that you could turn to when in need of a helping hand or a quick loan or a ride somewhere or just needed a friend. He once carried a hundred pound sack of flour several blocks with a broken rib because he thought his bigger friend who was ill might be hurting more than he was.

He was the GO TO GUY you called on when the team desperately needed a clutch hit or a fancy take out or a draw to the button to save an end or the one you wanted putting last for you in best ball.

He could play the guitar, fiddle, piano and harmonica and with his good looks and cheeky grin, the hearts of women... The best one of all he kissed goodnight after the hockey game Friday night and went off peacefully to his final resting place.

He was the guy with the cheery smile and a wave to everyone he met on the road and the time for a quick chat on the street or the golf course. Your time was his and his was yours and I never heard him say a bad word about anybody.

He was the man they wouldn't let fight for his country because of a bad heart... A heart that we all know was as big and strong as a horse. He always fought well above his weight.... And he cooked a mean pancake.

He was a man of great wisdom and talent that would dazzle us with his knowledge of world history and geography and his photographic memory for phone numbers was legendary. Even at 90 he could rattle off almost any phone number in town that he'd ever called and many in other towns as well ...And he cooked a mean pancake.

To his Children and Grand Children, he was fixer, healer, mentor, story teller, good listener, provider, nd car owner for a heavy footed son and 4 daughters with dead beat boy friends. The odd one slipped through our defences and married in.

To us all, He and Mom were everything and his memory will be forever cherished.

He wouldn't deny us our sadness at his passing but would want us today to remember and celebrate his good and full life....

He was after all THE GO TO GUY ... And man could he cook pancakes.

Goodbye Dear Heart, God be with you and may you rest in Peace. We love you.