Robert Lorne “Bob” McKinnon, loving husband of Sharon (Branch), passed away peacefully on April 27, 2023 at Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst at the age of 77. Born in Bathurst, he was a son of the late Lorne and Elva (Campbell) McKinnon. He was a life-long resident of Bathurst, who was known for his commitment to his community and its people.
Besides his wife of 56 years, he is survived by his daughter Natalie (John) Fisher of Bathurst, his son Jeffrey (Katria) McKinnon of Moncton, his grandsons Carson and Matthew McKinnon of Moncton, his brother Hugh of New Richmond, QC, and his sister Lorna (Kaj) Jansson of Bathurst, his nieces and nephews, Courtney, Meaghan, Mauryah, Kathleen, Ryan, Neil, Heather, Heidi, Mitzie and Molly.
A graduate of Bathurst High School, Bob worked for many years as manager of the Hardware Department at Kent’s Department Store. Following this, he was a much-loved school bus driver with the Anglophone North School District, a position that allowed him to spread his innate good nature and upbeat presence to the children and youth who grew very attached to him. He loved this role, because it allowed his students to start their day on an important cheerful and positive note.
Bob took his responsibilities to his community seriously, having been a faithful and hardworking member of many organizations like the Masonic Lodge #27, North Shore Shrine Club (Past President), Luxor Shriners of Saint John, Saint John Royal Order of Jesters #149, Bathurst Jaycees (Past President), and Bathurst Rotary Club. A devout Toronto Maple Leafs fan, Bob was a highly respected hockey referee in the area for 20 years.
It was the simple but very meaningful things in life that Bob cherished the most: his family and extended family, of course, as well as his many close friends who are mourning his loss, his idyllic camp on McKormier Drive on the Nepisiguit River where he relished the simplistic beauty of nature, and his enthusiasm to step up to help whenever and wherever his many skills and knowledge were needed.
The family is grateful for the recent care from Extra Mural nurses, Kathleen McLaughlin and his family physician, Dr. Patrick Eddie. They are also appreciative of his many good friends who so kindly stepped up to help him in recent months when his health condition limited his activities.
The family will receive relatives and friends at Elhatton’s Funeral Home (www.elhatton.com) Bathurst, on Sunday, April 30, 2023 from 2:00-4:00 pm. A funeral service will be held Monday, May 1 at 11:00 am at First United Church.
For those who wish to show expressions of sympathy, the family would appreciate donations in Bob’s memory to the Shriner’s Transportation Fund, Bathurst SPCA or a charity of the donor’s choice.
