Robert (Bob) McCutcheon

It is with great sadness that the family of Robert (Bob) Ward McCutcheon announces his passing at the Kelowna General Hospital on Monday, May 31, 2021. He was 84. He will be sadly missed by his wife Jeanette (Johns) of 48 years.

 

Bob was the third youngest of 11 children in a close-knit family. When he was nine, they lost their father and the same year Bob contracted spinal meningitis, causing him to lose his hearing. This challenge didn’t slow him down from pursuing a career as an accomplished licensed mechanic and after working for brother George’s garage he started ‘wrenching’ his way west to Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta until settling in British Columbia where he met his future wife, Jeanette. After some years in North Vancouver, they moved to Kelowna where once again, Bob never met a stranger and was always ready to strike up a conversation with anyone he came across, which was his special gift. They made their home in a lovely Kelowna community with plenty of new people to meet.

 

Bob’s passion for the Chevy Corvair was renowned. He participated in many rallies in Canada and the U.S., with his most recent one being in 2019, where the president of the club made sure to remind all the attendees that if they had any difficult questions that Bob McCutcheon’s expertise was in the house!

 

Bob’s favourite holiday getaway was Hawaii, where he and Jeanette would take a bi-annual trip for a month-long stay. Friends and family have plenty of wonderful memories of their adventures while visiting, including Bob convincing his sister and sister-in-law it would be a good idea to give parasailing a try.

 

What he loved deeply was to come home to Brussels because he loved his hometown and the people in it. He was always eager to give back to the community, supporting the service clubs any way he could. His mission in life was to make people smile and his visits to Brussels would find him taking time to seek out old friends and acquaintances to share his warmth and happiness at seeing them.

 

There are so many that will miss his kindness and friendship. He will be greatly missed by his sister Margaret (with whom he had a special closeness) and brother-in-law Bernell Smith of Listowel, sisters-in-law Betty, Esther and Lois McCutcheon of Brussels, brothers-and sisters-in-law Vernon (Barbara) and Terence (Kaye) Johns of New Zealand, his many nieces and nephews who had special relationships with Uncle Bob, good friends Linda Spurdle, of Kelowna, Betty Anne Guillett of Port Elgin, his many, many friends and his special four-footed Missy Girl.

 

Bob was predeceased by his parents Harry and Hannah (Lottie) McCutcheon, brothers Frank (Casey), George (Barbara), Fred (Mary), Lorne, Jack and Mel, sisters Annie (Lorne Bryans) and Berva (Jack Rice) and Rustie Boy.

 

A private committal service will be held at St. John’s Cemetery (formerly the McCutcheon Cemetery) in Brussels at a later date.