Robert La Rose

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Robert (Bob) La Rose, announce his passing of a sudden heart attack on April, 25th, 2022, in Huntsville.

When Bob, as a teenager, shared with Marianne his love of climbing white pine trees as a little boy to hear the wind whistle through the trees on the Muskoka airport, she knew he was the partner for her. They would marry 5 years later and share a joyful, fulfilling life for 53 years.

Bob loved life, all of life. His first love was sports and games, any type of sport was of interest to him. Graduating high school, he was honoured as the Toronto Telegram Athlete of the Year and went on to The University of Western Ontario for a Social Sciences Degree in Physical Education where he was recognized as the Claude Brown Trophy Winner - the Most Valuable Athlete of the Year at his graduation.

He was drafted to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers football team where he played 8 season as co-captain and players’ rep, followed by a year as colour commentator for CBC Western Canada Football. During his time in Winnipeg, Bob also taught public school and developed the first high school job placement program. He returned to The University of Western Ontario to complete a Masters of Kinesiology degree, then moved his family to Ottawa to become the Executive Director of Football Canada.

Bob accepted a position as Defensive Coordinator for the Western football program as well as an Associate Professorship of sports psychology and kinesiology. He coached football for 20 years, continued teaching a variety of courses while advising numerous grad students, and developed a Masters Coaching Program.

He retired from Western as a Professor Emeritus and moved with Marianne back to Muskoka, where he could enjoy his love of the outdoors. Retirement didn’t slow Bob down, if he wasn’t on the ice curling, golfing on the links, hiking or canoeing, he could be found in his gardens growing beautiful flowers and tasty veggies to share with family and friends.

Throughout his life Bob loved to participate in sports. He loved people and made many friends along the way. Whether it was on the court, field, links, ice or playing cards around the table with the BBT, he was the friend everyone could count on. The underlying theme of his life was his deep love for his family, friends and nature.

Bob was a devoted husband to Marianne and loving father to Karen and Jennifer, a proud father-in-law to Andrew, grandfather to Mackenzie, Warner, Penelope and Jackson, devoted brother to John, Marilyn and Sue.

We are all enriched for having shared our lives with him.

A private celebration of life will be held for immediate family. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations can be made to the Manna Food Bank https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/9792.

Messages of condolences may be shared at www.reynoldsfuneral.com