In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar

Served in the RCN 15 Jul 1941 - 11 Jun 1947

GREIG, Robert Wallace (Bob) - passed away peacefully on December 11, 2007 after a short recurrence of cancer. As Bob would say, he was born in someone's kitchen in LaFleche, Saskatchewan on January 13, 1922. He was the second of three sons of George and Kathleen Greig. From a prairie homestead, his family eventually settled in Penticton in 1931. His father died in 1935 and Bob, along with his two brothers, left school to support their family. After various jobs, he enlisted in the navy in July 1941. He initially served as a gunner on the corvette LePas. He saw convoy duty for those first years of the war. On the corvette Summerside, he served on D Day. After D Day Bob sought a transfer to the Pacific Theatre, served on the Cruiser HMCS Ontario and saw the liberation of Hong Kong. He was discharged in June 1947 and immediately returned to school to get his Grade 12, then in his mid-twenties he continued on to law school, graduating from UBC in 1953. While articling in Victoria, he met and married a sweet, kind, gentle lady", Norma Nunn. They were married on July 31, 1954 and settled in Vancouver while Bob began work as a lawyer. It was in 1955, during the time they were in Vancouver, that their daughter Karen was born. In 1956 they moved back to Victoria where Bob was employed by the Registrar of Companies. A son David was born in Victoria in 1957. In 1963 the family moved to the interior, and Bob joined the Kamloops law firm of Kennedy, Andrews and Taylor as a partner. Bob was appointed Magistrate for the Kamloops area in 1968, and in 1970 became a Judge of the Provincial Court. In 1972 Bob accepted a transfer to Delta and the family moved to Tsawwassen. During those years in Tsawwassen, both children graduated high school. Eventually both went on to law school, Karen at UBC and David at UVic, and both became lawyers. Nearing retirement, Bob transferred to Victoria, retiring in 1990. In 1991 Bob was diagnosed with prostate cancer. As with everything in his life he faced it head on and with his characteristic determination. He lived a good sixteen more years during which he and Norma traveled extensively and watched their grandchildren and great grandchildren grow. Not satisfied at the time, with the status quo for those with prostate cancer, he and Norma, along with other survivors and their partners established a prostate support group dedicated to serving the needs of the newly diagnosed. For this he and Norma were awarded the Straith Award by the Vancouver Island Prostate Cancer Research Foundation in December 2006. Throughout his life, he was a loving, generous and supportive son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, remembered by all who knew him as a true gentleman. His life has been an amazing one filled with love, duty, sacrifice and generosity. Of Bob it can be said he left this world a better place than he found it. Bob was predeceased by his father George, his mother Kathleen, his two brothers Norman and Allan, his father-in-law Alfred Arthur Nunn and his daughter-in-law Charmaine Greig. He is survived by his wife Norma, his mother-in-law Winnifred Locket Nunn, his brother-in-law Ken Nunn, his daughter Karen (Stephen) son David (Gabrielle), grandchildren Brandon (Ayako), Rebecca, Andrew, Ciro, Maya, Natalie, and great-grandchildren Jessica and Nicholas, as well as many friends and colleagues. One final word: Bob never gave up entirely on the horse thing". It was a lasting regret. We know he's riding with the best now and we wish him happy trails. Although he had not much to say He showed us in his quiet way His love would shine through his eyes and smile And his words were comforting all the while. Very heartfelt thanks to Dr. Terry Hartrick, Dr. Lea Norgrove and the angels" at Saanich Palliative Care, the volunteers and nursing staff. The service will be held at First Memorial Funeral Services at 4725 Falaise Dr. (Saanich) on Dec. 19 at 2 pm. No flowers by request. Donations can be made to the Ken and Jan Willoughby Student Fund, c/o the BC Cancer Foundation, 2410 Lee Ave., Victoria, BC, V8R 6V5.