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Robert (Bob) Stollery

Born In: Canada

Passed in: Canada

Robert (Bob) Stollery CM, BSc, LLD, CAE 1924 - 2007 The family sadly announces the passing of their cherished husband, father and grandfather, Bob Stollery, on March 14, 2007 after a courageous nine year battle with cancer. Bob is survived by Shirley, his beloved wife and best friend for 59 years; dearly loved by children Carol and Bill Sharun, Janet and Spencer Bryson, Douglas Stollery and Scott Graham; grandchildren Kate and Aubrey Zalaski, Jeff Bryson and Tanis Mosentine, Jon Sharun and Priscilla Bencic, and Chad Bryson and Meagan Nieman; brother and sister-in-law Bill and Rhyl Stollery; sister-in-law Bette Motton (Hank Motton); brother-in-law David Hopper (Margaret Drabick); sisters-in-law Jean Hopper, Gladys Hopper (Len Roberts) and Greta Stollery; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Bob was predeceased by his parents Kate and Willie Stollery (pioneers in the town of Strathcona, now South Edmonton), his brothers Bert, Dick, Charlie, Ernie (killed in action WWII), and his sister Win. Bob was born in Edmonton and attended Queen Alexandra Elementary, Garneau Junior High and Strathcona High Schools. He spent four years in the Canadian Navy in the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. During the war, Bob met his future bride, Shirley Hopper, in Toronto. They were married at Metropolitan United Church, Edmonton, in 1947. After discharge from the navy in 1945, Bob completed a degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Alberta and then joined Poole Construction as an engineer in training. In 1970, he became president and in 1978, he led the purchase of the company, which then became known as PCL Construction. As president, chairman, and CEO, he began bringing employees into ownership of the company. Today, this major international builder is 100% employee owned. Bob was a modest man who believed in the importance of family, integrity, hard work, and giving back to the community. He devoted part of each day to helping others. He was the founder of the Stollery Charitable Foundation, a co-founder and the first president of the Edmonton Community Foundation, and a catalyst for the founding of the Stollery Children's Hospital. Bob helped to fund the rebuilding of the Women's Emergency Shelter and the construction of housing for the disadvantaged in the inner city. He funded many scholarships and bursaries for students at Grant MacEwan College, NorQuest College, and the University of Alberta. Bob was actively involved for 50 years in charities in the areas of poverty, early childhood education, and health. Bob received many awards recognizing his accomplishments in business and charitable work. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2001 and was named one of the 100 Edmontonians of the Century in 2004. He was awarded Honorary Doctor of Laws Degrees from the University of Alberta (1985), Concordia University (Montreal 1986), and Athabasca University (2003); an Honorary Doctor of Letters from St. Stephen's College (1999); and an Honorary Diploma in Business from Grant MacEwan College (1994). He was elected a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (1989). Other honours received include the Canadian Business Leader Award (1993), a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International (2000), and induction into the Edmonton Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement (1989). He was a director of many organizations, including The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Federal Industries, Northern Transportation Co., Revelstoke Companies, Trans-Canada Pipe Lines, Melcor Developments, Economic Council of Canada, the Edmonton and Canadian Construction Associations, and PCL Employees Holdings Ltd. A outstanding community leader and a highly respected builder of organizations and structures, Bob had a sincere desire to make a difference. He was most proud of his family and of his role as caregiver to Shirley, and he was an outstanding father and grandfather. Following a private family service and cremation, there will be a public memorial service to celebrate Bob's live at the Winspear Centre, Edmonton, Alberta on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. The family wishes to express special thanks to the remarkable staff at the Palliative Care Unit at St. Joseph's Auxiliary Hospital for their compassion, dedication and care. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bob's name may be made to the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation, 8401, 11402 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J3 or the charity of one's choice. Condolences for Robert Stollery may be left at www.mem.com Hainstock's Funeral Home and Crematorium 440-2999 Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial.

 

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