Bob Archives - Interlake Cremation & Memorial Services

Robert (Bob) James Syrota

December 1, 1951 – February 4, 2023

It is with deep sorrow and broken hearts that we announce the passing of Robert, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. With family, as well as his beloved dogs by his side, he passed away suddenly at home.

He was predeceased by his father Thomas Syrota, mother Petronella (Pat) Shumilak, son Mickey Syrota, brother Tom Syrota, and his furry dog children Shaddy and Shadow. He leaves behind to mourn and with loving memories his wife Rose Syrota; son Robert Jr. Syrota (Cheryl); grandson Brennan Syrota (Rachel); sister Rose Sagness; step-children Sheldon Pescitelli (Yvette), Jodee Pescitelli (Ryan), Shaun Pescitelli; step-grandchildren Teesha, Alec, Daniel, Cody, Kane; 12 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; as well as many long-time friends and his fur babies Luna and Soleil.

Robert was one of a kind, with his loud booming voice which created an excitable energy that was hard to overlook. He took particular pleasure in sharing his thoughts boisterously about the show “Fail Army,” as well as contributing his coaching advice energetically to the Winnipeg Blue Bomber’s team from the comfort of his living room chair.

When his children were young, Robert coached his sons’ hockey as well as enthusiastically cheered his children and step-children on from the stands at their sporting events. Later in life, he continued to cheer on his grandson, Brennan, with football.

Robert grew up in Winnipeg’s Brooklands area as a child and remained in the city until he retired with his wife Rose to the Winnipeg Beach area. Although he worked in sales for many years, he obtained a Red Seal Journeyman Commercial Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Certification, and was employed with Canadian Mechanical Specialty for the remainder of his professional career. He was also president of the professional RSES association for a short period of time.

The family wishes to thank the home care staff at Gimli Hospital for their care and kindness while assisting Robert at home with medical needs.

As per Robert’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday Feb 18th, 2023 in the Lutheran Hall, 330 Manitoba Ave., Selkirk, MB.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Bob’s memorial page by using the comment field below.

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Robert (Bob) Harry Cooper

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Memorial Service for Bob Cooper

Please join us as we celebrate the life of Bob Cooper together

Where: Transcona Memorial United Church

Downstairs – Yale Hall

209 Yale Ave W, Winnipeg, MB

When: Saturday June 18, 2022

Doors open at 1:30. Service starts at 2:00

Masks required

If you are unable to attend in person you are welcome to join via Zoom at the following links:

Topic: Bob Cooper Memorial 2:00 pm June 18, 2022
Time: Jun 18, 2022 02:00 PM Winnipeg

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99224769901?pwd=Q2oxYXo1dXFRWEhJTFlHN0JURTdNQT09

Meeting ID: 992 2476 9901
Passcode: Aym8nu

Topic: Bob Cooper Memorial Band Performance – June 18, 2022
Time: Jun 18, 2022 02:30 PM Winnipeg

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94597296782?pwd=WGNaT09RS1dnR3h1K0V6Y2xESEhPUT09

Meeting ID: 945 9729 6782
Passcode: 5j6Jsf

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bob Cooper.

Bob was born in Winnipeg on July 6, 1948 and died in Winnipeg on July 18, 2021.

Left to cherish a lifetime of memories are his wife Lynn and sons Darrell and Blair. He was so proud of his sons. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Madeline (Wallace) and Harold Cooper.

As a boy, Bob had summer vacations in the Kenora area. The family of three, mom, dad and Bob, would hop in the car and head to the woods without a plan, camping wherever a spot struck their fancy.

This lead to his love of being outdoors and throughout his life the camping holidays with family were special times. The Canadian Shield was where he spent many years, notably in the Whiteshell and at Falcon Lake. In retirement he and Lynn had a trailer permanently sited in the Interlake region. Together they enjoyed road trips to Vancouver, holidays in Florida with friends, and of course many trips to Scotland!

Bob was very active in the Winnipeg Scottish pipe band community. He loved to teach drumming music and would help whomever asked for his assistance. When asked to provide a biography for the Lord Selkirk Band’s new parents’ handbook three years ago, these were his words:

“My father was the inspiration for my involvement in pipe bands. From the time he was a boy he played drums in bands in Winnipeg. I was ten years old when he volunteered to teach snare drummers for the Lord Selkirk District Boy Scout Pipe Band. He took me with him and together we enjoyed many years drumming in this and other organizations. Since then I have spent my life playing in pipe bands, most notably The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, The St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg and The Winnipeg Police.

The two most memorable events of my career would be spending the summer of 1970 in Scotland playing in the Edinburgh Tattoo and winning a North American Championship in 2005 with The St. Andrew’s Society Grade 3 Pipe Band.

In addition to playing I have enjoyed many years teaching children to drum. I find that teaching provides a sense of accomplishment and much valuable experience. I was an instructor with the Transcona & District Juvenile Pipe Band for 20 years and it was during that time that my younger son Blair began his obsession with bagpipes that has taken him to two World Championships.

Lifelong friendships have been established and maintained through my pipe band experience, the most notable being my 43 [now 46] year marriage to a young piper in the Heather-Belle Ladies Pipe Band named Lynn. We have two sons, Darrell and Blair.

I have lived my life in and around Winnipeg. I retired after 30 years’ service with the Winnipeg Police and I then spent an additional six years driving school bus for the River East Transcona School Division.”

Bob was a president of the Prairie Pipe Band Association (Saskatchewan and Manitoba) and held the office during its transition to the Prairie Pipe Band Association of Manitoba. In 2018 he was awarded an Honourary Life Membership to the PPBAM, the first drummer to receive this award. He was preparing the Transcona and Lord Selkirk drummers to perform a drum salute for the Winnipeg Scottish Festival and, as it turned out, the salute was for him! He didn’t think he deserved that sort of recognition for just doing what he loved. He was also humbled to receive the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.

Bob enjoyed writing and arranging music for many individual drummers for their competitions, compiling and writing music books for the Lord Selkirk RFM Pipe Band. He seemed to be forever tinkering with drum scores.

He also enjoyed working with his hands, with many woodworking projects lovingly completed, including, together with his father, building the first family home in 1976.

Thank you to our wonderful friends both near and far who have expressed such kind thoughts. We would also like to thank the staff at Concordia Hospital who cared for our dear husband and father.

He will be missed.

We would love to have a gathering to remember Bob, when gatherings are permitted.

Condolences and memories may be shared on Robert’s memorial page by using the comment field below.