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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
Budd, Robert James - passed away on August 14, 2024, at Trillium Lodge in Parksville BC at the age of 96. His wife Aileen and his family were all with him as he peacefully travelled his last journey to be with God. Robert was born on April 24,1928 in Swift Current SK, where he also grew up with his family. His father, Archibald, born in Camberwell, England and mother, Agnes, born in Glasgow, Scotland, were SK pioneer homesteaders. They raised a good, honest, kind, generous and hard-working man. After high school graduation, Bob wanted adventure, and to serve Canada as a sailor, so he left home to join the Navy.
He joined the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in 1946 as an 'Air Radio Mechanic'. After basic training and a year of electronic training in England, Bob was sent to Dartmouth NS in the summer of 1948. He was part of the Royal Canadian Naval Air Service (RCNAS). He travelled the world doing his duty for Canada at several shore bases, and aboard the aircraft carriers Warrior, Magnificent, and Bonaventure. Bob attained the rank of CPO 1st class.. Bob's final posting was to CFB Trenton as Avionics Chief of Transport Command. He retired from the Navy in December 1970. For the next five years he worked in Sidney, BC as an electronic technician for a boat building company. He then worked for the Department of National Defence at Pat Bay near Sidney BC. His job was testing sonobouys and doing overhaul work on the 'dunking sonar' used in the Navy's Sea King helicopters. This job eventually moved to the Canadian Forces Experimental and Test Range at Nanoose Bay BC, hence, he and his family's final move to Parksville BC. Bob retired in 1988 after forty-two years of 'bringing home the bacon'.
Bob first met the love of his life, Aileen, at a dance in Luna Park, Port Wallis-Dartmouth NS. The two met for a second time on November 5th,1949 while skating in Dartmouth. They began dating, followed by their engagement in Grand River NS on New Year's Eve 1949. Bob & Aileen were married August 3rd, 1950 in Grand River NS, and they remained true to each other for the next 74 years. Bob and Aileen had four children, Donna, Debbie, Darlene and Frank. They raised their family in Dartmouth NS, Belleville ON, Victoria, Sidney and Parksville BC. Just like his father Archie, Bob enjoyed road trips, and he and his family spent most summer holidays travelling and camping across Canada and many parts of the USA. Bob and Aileen continued to travel during their retirement years.
Bob's life passion was playing down home dance music on his beloved button box accordion and harmonicas. Don Messer, Lee Cremo and Harry Hibbs influenced much of his musical style. Bob would hear a tune he liked, just once or twice, and then be able to play it 'by ear', without reading sheet music. As a musician, he played and performed with 'The Ramblers', with Annabelle Apel in the duo 'Buttons and Keys' and with a group of accordion enthusiasts 'The Oceanside Squeezers'.
He also had hobbies of Bible study, fishing, wood turning with a lathe, repairing small electronic appliances for friends, gardening, boating and swimming. Bob was also a Canadian Red Cross swimming teacher and examiner in NS. Locally in Parksville, Bob was an early member and volunteer of Knox United Church, the Parksville Lawn Bowling Club, Bradley Centre for Seniors, and Parksville Golden Oldies Sports Association (PGOSA). Bob was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Canadian Naval Air Group (CNAG), Canadian Freemasons, and The Good Sam RV Club.
Robert was predeceased by his father Archibald Charles Budd in Swift Current SK, his mother Agnes (née Reid) Budd in Comox BC, his sister Mary Ann Douglas Barnett (Richard Edwin, also deceased) in Comox BC, his brother Charles John Elliot Budd (Josephine née Schmidt, also deceased) in Kelowna BC, and his nephews Larry Rae Budd in St Albert AB and Richard Charles Barnett in Ontario. Bob was also predeceased by all his brothers and sisters by marriage, as well as two of his nephews-in-law, Farquhar MacBeth in California USA, and Wayne Urquhart in Grand River NS.
Robert is survived by his adored wife, Aileen in Parksville BC and his four children, Donna Budd in Parksville BC, Debbie Budd in Perth Australia, Darlene Dickson (Dennis) in Maple Ridge BC and Frank Budd (Assunta née Damiani) in Maple Ridge BC. He is survived by his three grand children Reece Dickson in Vancouver BC, Rylee Dickson and Marcus Budd in Maple Ridge BC. Bob is also survived by many nieces and nephews, in Canada, USA, and Panama.
How do we say goodbye to this good, intelligent, funny, musical man who touched so many lives in his 96 years? Family and friends are invited to celebrate Bob's amazing life on Monday, September 2, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Knox United Church, in Parksville, BC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bob's name to a charity of your choice.
Ships served in: HMCS MAGNIFICENT - Served in Magnificent in 1955 as a CPO.RA, RCN CTB TRENTON
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