Obituary of Robert-William Dempsey

DEMPSEY, ROBERT WILLIAM 1922 - 2004. Bob passed away at home in Halifax, NS, on August 11, 2004, after a noble battle with cancer, but also after a full and wonderful life. He will be sadly missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him, Bob is predeceased by his beloved wife of 55 years, Pauline Mary (Power). He is also predeceased by his father James Ernest Dempsey, his mother Dorothy Rose (Brackett), three sisters Dorothy (Slaunwhite), Claire Frances and Claire Therese and two brothers James and Bernard. Robert is survived by his daughters, Lynn Power (Kevin), Lower Sackville,NS, and Susan Dempsey McKim (James), Fredericton, NB, and his son Bruce Dempsey (Nancy), St. Margaret's Bay, NS. His children are forever grateful for his love, guidance and patience. Bob was the beloved Grandad of Tessa, Luke, and Emily McKim, Ben and Ellen Power and Jeffrey Dempsey. Their Grandad's gentle care and quiet wisdom will be their lasting gift from him. Robert is survived by his sisters, Brenda Hayes (Charlie), Lucy Melrose (Stewert), Margaret Chase (Al), and Frances Dempsey (Gerald) and his brother Bruce Dempsey (Heather) and their families. Bob was born in Herring Cove, NS. He graduated from St. Mary's College and the Nova Scotia Technical College, 1945, in the field of Mining Engineering. He lived in Malartic-Goldfields, Quebec for 25 years, managing gold mines. It was in the north that he married Pauline and they raised their children. Bob made many good friends there and had many pioneering adventures. He was a wonderful husband to Pauline. He was a loving father to his family. He provided for his family generously with care and time. He made their family home and their summer camp happy places, where he cooked many outdoor summer meals followed by a spin in the boat, towing children on the surfboard, Bob was active in the mining community and a member of the Association of Professional Engineers. He spearheaded several community projects as well as being an active volunteer in his children's interest. Bob and his family moved back to Nova Scotia after a four year stay in Toronto. It was in Herring Cove that he built their oceanfront home, Holy Stone-on-the-Sea. Good times filled their home, weddings, Christmas gatherings, singing, lobster boils, bridge games and wonderful Sunday dinners. When Bob retired from Parks Canada, where he worked on the restoration of several historic sites in Nova Scotia, he and Pauline moved to the Annapolis Valley, NS and then Mactaquac, NB. Bob moved back to Halifax after the passing of his wife and soul mate, Pauline, in 2001. Bob was an avid curler and bridge player, He also built wooden boats and kayaks, he enjoyed rugby, sailing, fishing, gardening and most recently golf, with his friend Gerald. Bob also had many other hobbies, including making candles, pickles, wine and the ultimate spaghetti sauce. Bob had great physical strength and endurance, which was evident first in sports and more recently in his wood heat project, gardening and landscaping. He engineered many projects for family and friends with his keen sense of design. Everyone who knew Bob, will remember him as a gentleman, a patient father, brother and friend. His intelligence, sharp mind, fun sense of humor, critical thinking skills, peacemaking, practical guidance and unselfish disposition will be his lasting legacy. But most of all, he will be remembered for his kindness. His warm smile was knowing, generous and came from the heart and soul of a very good man. Robert's family would like to thank Monica Flinn, and the palliative care team, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre for their care. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Church, Herring Cove, NS, on Saturday August 14, 2004 at 10 am. There will be no visitation. Interment will follow the service at St. Paul's Cemetery, Herring Cove, NS. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made to www.atlanticfuneralhomes.com.