For Posterity's Sake         

A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project

In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar 

BLACK, Robert George - Passed away peacefully on June 11, 2013 at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, in his 89th year. Bob has been described as a brilliant man, loving husband and father and someone who could tell a good and often long story. Loving father of Stephen and Susan. Older brother of Murray and best friend of Elda German. Predeceased in 1991 by his loving wife, Betty (nee Watson) and in 1974 by his dear son, Jeffrey. Proud grandpa of Jeffrey (Ralphs) and Jeremy (Ralphs). Bob was born in Toronto, Ontario on January 3, 1925 and after enlisting at the age of 17, became the youngest naval gunnery officer in the Royal Canadian Navy. He met Betty at Balmy Beach Canoe Club and they married in 1949. He studied microbiology at The Ontario Agricultural College (now Guelph University) graduating in 1948. He joined Canadian Breweries Limited (later Carling O'Keefe Breweries) in June 1948 and in 1954 was appointed to Head Brewer at the Hamilton plant and later Head Brewer of the Toronto and Montreal plants rising to become Director of Brewing Services for Carling O'Keefe Breweries. In 1954, he earned the degree of "Diploma Member of the British Institute of Brewing", one of only three to do so outside of Britain at the time, achieving a perfect score on the exams. He retired on December 1, 1989 and enjoyed many more years of golf with his friends at Burlington Golf and Country Club where he was a member since 1953. He met the second love of his life, Elda German, in 1998 with whom he enjoyed many wonderful years of travel, especially to Myrtle Beach, and also get-togethers with members of his OAC 1948 graduating year. The family would like to thank the caring staff at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care over the past three months. A Celebration of Bob's life will be held on June 20th at 7 P.M. at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to either the War Amps Ontario or the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ontario in Bob's memory. (Hamilton Spectator 15 Jun 2013)