Robert MacGillivray

November 11, 2023

Robert (Bob) Bruce MacGillivray

August 3, 1931-November 11, 2023

Bob died at home in North Vancouver, aged 92, on November 11, 2023. His big heart just gave out.

Bob was born August 3, 1931, to Archibald and Beulah (née VanBuskirk) MacGillivray, in Vancouver, B.C. He was pre-deceased by siblings John/Jack (Audrey) MacGillivray, Dean (Margaret) MacGillivray, and Verda (Mike) Young. He is survived by his wife Shirley (née Nielsen) of 42 years, daughter Laurie (Ron) Kocher, son Don MacGillivray, step-son Dean (Karen) Nielsen, grandchildren Chelsea, Bronwyn, Julie, Curtis, Maya, Michael, great-grandchildren Greyson, Harper, Brittany, Brandon, Clara Jean, Arianna, and great-great-grandchildren Alec and Rose.

A 1949 graduate of Lord Byng Secondary School (and student council president), Bob was a long-time resident of Vancouver, West Vancouver, and North Vancouver. He was very athletic, playing rugby with the Vindex club, starting a baseball league for youth, alpine skiing at Hollyburn, Grouse, and Whistler, and playing golf and tennis throughout his life. A great passion was ocean fishing. Bob was a founding member of the Hakai Land and Sea Society in Haida Gwaii. In his later years, he could often be found around the lunch table on Wednesdays with a group of friends at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, where he was a member for many years.

His working life ranged over a number of professions. As a young man, he worked in construction with Poole Construction, at Britannia Mines, and with Imperial Oil. For decades he was involved commercial real estate development, owning several companies, before venturing into mining resources. He had a real entrepreneurial spirit and was ever curious about new possibilities to explore, always having multiple balls in the air. He had become quite concerned about climate change and its impact on present and future generations. With this in mind, he pursued the discovery of rare earth minerals in BC, determined that this would become an important resource for the technology of the future—this was something he worked on into the last week of his life.

Bob was a man of principle and high ethics. As one friend described him, “he was the most honest person I’ve ever known.” He strongly believed that “your word is your bond, and that your handshake is more important than your signature.” This was core to his character. He was also a frugal Scotsman and loved to shop for bargains—which he then might give away. He was generous of spirit and kind-hearted, and would often deliver homemade turkey soup, rotisserie chicken, or fresh corn-on-the cob to friends. Despite health challenges in the last few years, whenever Bob was asked how he was, his famous response was, “Never better!” He was a humble and stoic man.

Bob, beloved father, husband, grandfather, and friend, will be dearly missed. They didn’t come any better. He had a huge heart, a great sense of humor, and a gentle spirit, but he did not like to be fussed over and did not want a traditional funeral.

There will be an informal gathering on Saturday, December 2, 6:30-9:00 p.m. at St. Catherine’s Anglican Church, 1058 Ridgewood Drive, North Vancouver. You are welcome to bring stories and tributes. Light refreshments will be served. Parking is available in the church lot and across the street in the underground Thrifty’s parking lot. If you’d like further information, please send an email to daughter Laurie at robertbmacg@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choosing would be appreciated.

Epitaph on a Friend

An honest man here lies at rest,

The friend of man, the friend of truth,

The friend of age, and guide of youth:

Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,

Few heads with knowledge so inform’d;

If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;

If there is none, he made the best of this.

~Robert Burns

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