The Passing of a Good Friend, Bob Jefferson
JOHN ROBERT (BOB) JEFFERSON
It is with great regret that we pass on the very sad news of the sudden passing of our dear friend Bob Jefferson. He will be missed very much. A good friend, a good Rotarian and a very generous benefactor to our community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
JOHN ROBERT (BOB) JEFFERSON Suddenly while on holidays in Chicago with his family, Bob Jefferson, aged 74 years of Selkirk, MB passed away on December 25, 2013. Bob leaves to mourn his sister Doreen Sisto, nephews Guy Sisto, Mark Sisto (Cori) and their children Dylan and Tyler, as well as cousin Ann Carol. He will be sadly missed by the Truthwaite and Boyce families as well as many extended families in the UK and dear lifelong friends. There will be heavy hearts left in the City of Selkirk as Bob embraced so many people by his unique and natural ability to engage anyone by offering pleasant and encouraging words or having a visit over coffee. He was predeceased by his father William Robert Jefferson and his mother Barbara (Neave) Jefferson, as well as numerous aunts and uncles. Bob lived his entire life in Selkirk, MB.
Bob started his career in the Lord Selkirk School Division as a teacher where he taught at Lockport School, William S. Patterson, St. Andrews School, and Happy Thought School where he was vice-principal. From here, he became principal at Walter White School in Grand Marais for close to eight years, hence, he became known as "Bobby J from Grand Marais". Bob continued on as principal of Mapleton School until his retirement in 1993.
In 1994, Bob and Doreen ventured "out of the box" and took a real estate course. They started a new career with Interlake Real Estate up until Bob decided it was time to go on his own. In 1997, Century 21 Jefferson and Associates was formed and is now complemented by eight agents, as well as their faithful and dedicated office manager, Rose Walsh. Bob always said, "What would we ever do without Rose". Bob was an active citizen in so many capacities in the City of Selkirk right up until his passing. He was passionate and loved everything about Selkirk.
In fact, he held various positions as a Board member with many businesses. He contributed to, and supported, many sports, fundraisers, and charities. He participated in the Festival on the Red for a number of years. He was director of the Marine Museum where he would later become chairman of the Board. He was a Kinsmen, K40, and Rotarian where he was president for a one year term. He was a chartered member of Ducks Unlimited. He was also a Board member at the Selkirk Foundation. Although Bob contributed to a variety of charities, his last one would be the new Selkirk "Gaynor" Library. Throughout the years Bob managed some hockey teams. His love for hockey moved him to be a Gold sponsor for the Selkirk Steelers, as well he sponsored the Junior Bs Fisherman and the Selkirk Royals High School. Bob's love for education prompted him to set up a scholarship fund for students working toward becoming educators. Every year the entire proceeds from Century 21 Jefferson and Associates Golf Tournament went to the Selkirk Foundation.
Bob was truly humbled when he was presented with the Citizen of the Year Award for Selkirk in 2001, only to be honoured a few years later with an Entrepreneur Award! Bob would again, receive the prestigious Community Service Award from W.R.E.B in 2002. Bob was generous almost to a fault because he found it very difficult to say "No" to any request for contributions that he felt would benefit and prosper the well-being of people and the community as a whole. He truly was a compassionate, non-judgemental, warm and fun-loving man. He was kind and respectful, and he was a good sport with a great sense of humour.
A celebration of Bob's life was held on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive High School Gymnasium. In lieu of flowers, donations were made in Bob's memory to the Selkirk & District Community Foundation, 200 Eaton Ave., Selkirk, MB R1A 0W6. One final note to you while we say good-bye and Thank You... It was YOU Bob, who was "Super" and it, was YOU Bob who was "One in a Million"!!!
Publish Date: Jan 3, 2014
excerpt from WFP Passages.
Download the website sponsorship guide