ROBERT STEWART DEANE (Bob), a dear friend and loving father, passed peacefully surrounded by his family on November 12, 2022 at University Hospital in London Ontario. He was 72.
Born to parents Ethel and Lloyd Deane at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto, Ontario, on June 20, 1950, Bob was the first-born child and older sibling to Joanne Deane of Toronto.
After graduating from high school at Wexford Collegiate Institute in Scarborough in 1968, Bob earned an undergraduate degree from Western University in Sciences.
Bob was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Canadian Armed Forces on the 30th Day of January 1974. Following his service, Bob retuned to London to complete his MBA at the University of Western Ontario, graduating in 1981 with the Dean’s Honour Award. It is during this time that Bob met his beloved wife, Jane Noël (née Gillies) of London Ontario. Jane and Bob were married at St. Luke’s Chapel in London on May 15th, 1982.
Bob enjoyed a successful career at Canada Post in Ottawa Ontario while he and Jane raised their two Children, Laura and Ryan. Following the loss of Jane on December 25, 1995, Robert returned to London to raise his Children with the support of close friends and family.
In other pursuits, Bob enjoyed a life of extensive global travel. This included many happy memories with his family in Fort Myers, Florida, teaching internationally at both Chongqing Technology and Business University in Chongqing, China, and, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics in Dalian, China. Bob and his children also spent time living overseas in Beirut, Lebanon in 1998. Bob discovered a true passion and fulfillment in the final years of his career while he was a Professor of Business at King’s University College.
Bob will be deeply missed by his Children, Laura Deane (Brent Yost) of London, and Ryan Deane of Vancouver, who have long admired his strength of character, wit, and immeasurable kindness. Known affectionately as “Grandpa Bob”, his ultimate legacy will be in his adored Grandchildren, Evelyn (6) and Alexander (4).
Bob has defined a path of resilience, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to his Children. Bob’s defining lesson to his loved ones is, despite setbacks in life, one must keep going. For those who have known Bob, it is deeply felt that his stories will keep him alive and loved in our hearts forever.
Bob’s family would like to thank the dedicated and compassionate team of Doctors, Nurses, and Staff at University Hospital and ICU, who took every step to ensure Bob’s comfort in his final days.
Visitation will be Friday, November 18, 5-8PM at Harris Funeral Home, 220 St. James St. at Richmond. A private funeral service will be held on Saturday November 19th and interment at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in London ON. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Canadian Cancer Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or World Vision Canada.