August 26, 1928 – September 11, 2014
at the age of 86 years
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, September 20th at the 5th Avenue Seniors’ Activity Centre, 170 – 5th Ave. S.E. Salmon Arm; Viewing at 10:00 AM; Interment at Mount Ida Cemetery; Reception following Service.
Died peacefully at Bastion Place, Salmon Arm BC, on Thursday, September 11th, 2014 at the age of 86.
He was born on Aug 26, 1928 in Brudenell, ON, where he grew up farming and sawmilling with his father. In 1954 he travelled west to Vancouver, Prince George and Fort St James where he drove truck and worked in sawmills. In the 60’s he moved back to Ontario, bought a farm and drove truck in Southern Ontario. He visited Prince George in 1968 where he met Bernice Roberts and married in 1969. There he joined the School Board and performed custodial work until relocating to Salmon Arm in 1981. He had part time jobs wherever he went which continued on after retirement from the School Board in 1991.
Robert ‘Bob’ Smallpiece is survived by Bernice, beloved wife of 45 years, stepdaughter Eloise Quigley, stepsons Byron (Janice) Roberts and Ross (Holly) Roberts, sisters Mildred Stevenson, Merinda Reid, Lena (Victor) Hazelwood, Beth Brownlee, Donna (Don) Reid and Sharon (Melvin) Cole, brothers Steven, Tommy (Carolyn), Jimmy (Holly) and Esbert, 16 nieces and nephews, 8 step grandchildren and 14 step great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his father Thomas William in 1983 and mother Lola Fern in 2003.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted at the Salmon Arm SPCA or the Cancer Society of Canada.
We are thinking of you at this time .Lots of memories of Bob &Bernice, LENA &VICTOR
Very special memories of the joy that Uncle Bob brought into Auntie Bernice’s life during the courtship, in the marriage and the years thereafter. We loved his quietness and his support of Auntie Bernice…. We remember his rebuilding of the pianoforte… And appreciated so much what he added to the little fellowship meetings. We are so glad of the assurance that he goes onto a better place because of what he lived for, and prepared for while here on earth.
Bernice, Eloise, Byron and Ross, we sure are thinking of you all these days and sorry to not have slipped over with my brothers. With our childhood so intertwined it seems we are family. I have such fond memories of hugs and fellowship over the years. Wonderful that Bob finished his life so courageously and joyfully. Thinking and praying for you tomorrow.
Our sympathy to all the family. Our thoughts are with you Lena and Victor and wish we could been able to attend the service Marilyn & Hugh
Condolences to Bernice and family. It seems like a long time since I met Bob…before Bernice and Bob got married. He will be missed but there is plenty of good memories.
My condolences in the passing of Robert. Ellard and I always enjoyed your visits East. Sharing lunch and memories was so pleasant and uplifting. All the stories of the farm and trucking take me back a ‘few’ years!
so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing!
It was a highlight to meet with him and Bernice two years ago in Salmon Arms.
Being second cousins and reminiscing about times on the farm in Picton On was wonderful and brought back some really good memories!
sincerely
The Wades