With heavy hearts but the greatest admiration for a life lived to the fullest, the Nixon family announces the peaceful passing of Robert George Nixon on October 1st, 2024 at home in Oakville, Ontario at the age of 94. He is joyfully reunited with the love of his life, Dolores, to whom he was married for 66 years. Bob was the devoted father of Michael (Cindy Westlake), Terri (Tim Smeijers), Tom (Sheryl Murray), and Mary Lou (John Fuca), and adored grandfather of Victoria, Madeline, Nathaniel, Eliana and Riley. He joins his parents, George and Florence, his siblings Jack, Pat and Gerry, and the many friends he made so easily throughout his life.  Bob passed away peacefully in his sleep at his residence at Delmanor Glen Abbey.

Bob Nixon was born on September 8th, 1930 and was raised as a proud Hamiltonian where Bob grew up and considered his hometown, never missing an opportunity to make a joke at Steeltown's expense. He attended Cathedral High School and excelled in football, basketball and track there. Shortly after high school, Bob and a friend drove across Canada to Vancouver and hitchhiked back.

Back in Hamilton, Bob began working for Building Products of Canada, where he spent most of his career as a salesman. Friends introduced him to Dolores, a recently graduated nurse from Chesley, Ontario in 1953 and he quickly fell head over heels. They married on October 22nd, 1955. Bob's job took the family across eastern Canada, to Montreal, where Mike was born, then to Grimsby where Terri and Tom joined the family, then London, Unionville and Halifax (which Bob and Dolores particularly loved) before finally settling in Oakville in 1970 - and then along came Mary Lou.

Bob had many health challenges over his life, especially heart and most recently kidney, but fought to overcome them. He suffered a heart attack and underwent bypass surgery at St. Michael's Hospital at a time when this was still experimental. He was told he'd get five to ten years… he blew past all expectations and got nearly 50. Bob's life is a testament to the power of positive thinking and keeping yourself active. He never complained, he just kept going. Well into his 80s he was constantly puttering around on DIY projects at home (and known for his "unique" design sensibilities). To the end he was interested in learning new things, was a preferred bridge partner to many at Delmanor because he won so often, kept informed on world events and financial markets, and always had at least two books on the go.

When Bob retired in the 1980s, typical to his nature, he got bored after a few months and started working as a process server for the O'Connor MacLeod Hanna law firm, a job he found fascinating as he was often asked to pull legal documents and sit in on cases. During his retirement years he also built the Nixon cottage in Sauble Beach himself, where the whole family spent many memorable summers. He was also a bowling league champ at Hopedale Bowl and volunteered at St. Dominic's parish. He was the kind of grandfather who his grandkids could rely on for anything, whether that was a drive home from school, a Stephen King book to borrow or a marathon puzzle session at the cottage.

But closest to his heart were his dear friends with whom Bob and Dolores would spend time bowling, their monthly poker parties, relaxing as a group at the cottage, 'raise the roof' every New Year's Eve (and other celebrations), and travel to many points in North America and around the world. These were the best of times for both Mom and Dad and the friendship they had with the Cunningham's, the Wares, the Ikers, Mary Garvey and many others meant the world to Dad!

The family would like to thank the many medical professionals who cared for Bob through the years, especially Dr. Douglas Milloy, along with Dr. Michael Heffernan and NP Jennifer Kowalyk, as well as those close to him during his last weeks - Dr. Malik, Heba, Riva, Maryanne, and PSW's Anna and Christine.  We also wish to acknowledge and thank the staff and especially his friends at Delmanor Glen Abbey where he lived for his final two years.

While we will miss Bob greatly, we are comforted knowing that he is reunited with Mom who he missed so much over the past two years, and all their friends partying into the wee hours. Until we meet again, we look back with love on, as Bob would say, a "fantastic" life.

Visitations for Bob Nixon will take place at Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home (64 Lakeshore Rd W, Oakville) Monday, October 7th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with the funeral service to take place at St. Dominic's Church (2415 Rebecca St, Oakville) on Tuesday, October 8th at 11:00 am.