MacCoubrey Funeral Home Reception Centre
30 King Street East, Cobourg
This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
With heavy hearts we share the news of the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather. Robert James Skillen passed away peacefully at Extendicare in Port Hope, in the arms of his devoted wife and daughter, and surrounded by family. Bob lived with Parkinson’s Disease for over 25 years, yet through his perseverance and determination, he led a content and fulfilling life.
Bob was a dedicated husband to Joan, the love of his life, with whom he shared 68 years of marriage. He was a beloved dad to his daughter Jan, her husband John and his late son, Jay (1975). He took immense pride in being a grandfather to Kelsey (Josh), Jared (Emily), and Braden. Bob will be greatly missed by his brothers David (Marie) and John (Helen) and sister (Evelyn). He is predeceased by his brother Alan (Viola).
As a young lad, Bob grew up in the Mourne Mountains of Northern Ireland. At the age of 16 he emigrated to Canada with his family. Bob was employed by Winchester Western and the Cobourg Hospital as a Stationary Engineer until his retirement. He enjoyed his time at the cottage and became our family 'handyman' and chief advisor. He loved traveling to a variety of destinations with Myrtle Beach being his favourite.
Friends and family are invited for a celebration of Bob’s life at MacCoubrey Funeral Home, 30 King Street East, Cobourg on Sunday, August 11 from 1:00-4:00 pm, with words of remembrance by the family at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Parkinson Canada.
“Strong and quiet, kind and wise,
Bob brought love and light into all of our lives.”
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
SickKids Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
My condolences to the family,I’m sorry I couldn’t make it I would have loved to have been there
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
Joan and Janice and Family...what a great right up about our old Family Friend Mr Skillen. Regretting not being able to attend the gathering for him today. Great memories when we were all kids, hopefully your memories last forever.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
We are so very sorry for your loss. Please accept our sincere condolences
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
Joan & family. So sorry for your loss. Bob was such a gentleman. He will be missed. Take care With caring and sincere sympathy. Carol Lawrence
Dear Joan. We are very sorry to read of Bob's passing. I worked at Winchester same time as Bob and he always spoke with me. You and Bob were great neighbours. I hope time helps heal your pain.
Joan and family please accept our condolences on the passing of Bob he was a very nice man . Keep your memories close
Sincere sympathy to Joan, Jan and family on the loss of your beloved Husband and Father. Bob and Joan were great neighbors and friends with continued and an ongoing friendship at Rosewood. Rest peacefully Bob.
Jan and family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. May your wonderful memories help to carry you through these difficult day.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
I am very sorry to hear of Bob’s death. Through your enduring friendship with Bob and Delia, he has been familiar to our family for a long time. Please accept our sincere sympathy.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
Joan and family. Please accept our deepest condolences on Bob's passing. We hope fond and happy memories provide comfort in the coming days. Don and Karen Emond
Jan and family, Sorry to hear of your father's passing, Susan has good memories of your father working at the Cobourg Hospital . He was a kind and gentle man may he rest in peace.
Joan, Jan & John, we were saddened to read about Bob’s passing. We remember all the fun times together Monday nights at the bowling alley. And the many years you supported our family business & miss our chats. Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time. All our love. Kim & Reg❤️🙏
Dear Joan and Family. I am so sorry to read of Bob’s passing. You and Bob were such good friends of my parents (Lyla & Cliff), and I remember Bob as a soft spoken gentleman. Sending heartfelt condolences and strength during this difficult time.
I grew up on Sinclair St. And also did some babysitting for them. May God wrap His loving arms of comfort at this time for Bobs family and friends. Bob was a wonderful mentor for many people throughout the years.
Bob I well miss you. Many years we worked side by side at the Hospital and worked with my Dad at Winchester Western . Great man . Rest In SPECIAL Peace.Richard McEntee
Joan, Janice and Skillen Family I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Bob. I have wonderful memories of Sinclair St with all of the Skillen kids, camping down at the KOA in Grafton and working with Bob for 14 years at the Cobourg Hospital. Bob was a quiet man, and gave good advice when needed. Sending my condolences to all of the family and yes he did bring love and light to all of us who knew him.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
Joan -we were very sorry to hear of Bob's passing. We have known Bob for many years through St. Andrew's Church and have always thought of him as a great guy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and Jan and her family.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
Joan and Family, Jean and I were very sorry to learn of Bob's passing. You will share so many good memories of him. Thinking of you all. Audrey and Jean
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
So very sorry to hear of Bob's passing. My thoughts go out to the family especially, Helen and John.
My deepest sympathy to Joan, Jan and family
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
Dear Joan, Jan and family, please accept my condolences. I worked with Bob at the Cobourg Hospital and knew him through St. Andrews. He was a kind, reliable, gracious man and was respected by many. His gentle soul will be missed.
Joan,Janice and family. Sorry to hear of Bob,s passing. Sending condolences to you. Remember the memories and happy times.Marlene.
Jan and John - our thoughts are with your family. We remember your dad at the arena watching the boys play hockey.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
Joan, Jan and family We are very sorry to hear about Bob’s passing. You will all be in our thoughts during this difficult time Bob & Pat Barker
We just found out that Bob had passed away. We give our deepest condolences to Joan and family.
Joan I am sorry to hear of Bobs Passing. My heartfelt condolences to your family
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
So sorry Joan to hear of Bob’s passing. Sending our sincere condolences. Anita & Bill Nichol
Dear Joan and family So sorry to hear of Bob's passing. May your many memories give you some comfort during this very difficult time. My deepest condolences to you and all your family.
So sorry to hear of Mr. Skillen’s passing. Although I hadn’t seen Mr. & Mrs. Skillen in many years, I still relished the fact they were my godparents.
So sorry to hear of Bobs passing Joan..
So sorry about Mr. skillen he was a quiet gentle human being .Thoughts and prayers
Joan, Janice & family, Our sincere condolences on Bob’s passing. A good long life as husband, father & grandfather to your family. Lifelong friends to Mom & Dad & nice you had time together. Fond memories for your family. Love Karen Chalovich
Dear Joan and family. Please accept my deepest condolences in Bob's passing, it was a pleasure to know him. Many fond memories of our square dancing days.
Godspeed Bob Always a pleasure seeing you in the halls Condolences to your family Jayne Psw
Joan and Family, We are sorry to hear about Bob passing away. Our deepest sympathy. Keep your memories close to you.
Joan, Please know I am thinking of you at this difficult time.
My condolences to the family may he rest in peace now.
Dear Joan and family, Sorry to hear of Bobs passing.My sincere sympathy,Leota
Dear Joan and family, Bob was a true gentleman, and a valued volunteer driver with Community Care. We could always count on him and with his quiet and humble demeanour was a client favourite to ask for. My condolences on your loss.
Dear Joan & family. Our deepest sympathy on the passing of Bob. Your memories of a great man will be with you all. Hugs, Therese & Barry
Sending our deepest condolences to you and your family.
Dear Joan and Family, Don and I send our sincere sympathy to you .We will remember our happy times square dancing . Blessings .Don and Eleanor
Dear Joan and family so sorry to hear of Bobs passing. Just hang onto your good memories of your life together Kathy
Bob, you and my brother George were best friends. Please say HI to him, from me, when you see him again, up there in heaven. Both of you were easy going, best Handy men, loved to joking around and family always came first. God Bless!
Joan I am so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. My heartfelt condolences to the family. Precious memories will help you through this difficult time.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
Joan and family, we were sorry to hear of Bob's passing. Our deepest condolences to you and the family.
Dear Joan and family I am so sad to hear the passing of Bob. He was such a kind and lovely man.
Joan, Jan and family Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Bob was such a kind, caring soul and I held his family in high esteem. He will always be remembered for his smile when I’d see you walking with him. Always spoke with kindness. May your happy memories make this difficult time easier to bear
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Parkinson Canada
Joan and family, sorry for your loss. Condolences to you all.
So sorry to hear of Bob's passing. Our heart felt condolences to the family.
I was sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I remember Bob and Joan well from the Parkinsons Support group. May all the wonderful times you have had together be the memories that help you all through this sad time.
Dear Joan and family Please accept my sincere condolences in the passing of Bob. May all of your great memories console you during this sad time. Prayers and hugs, Elaine
Dear Joan and Family, Thinking of you. May your memories sustain you through this sad time. Sincerely, Linda Cable Marr
I worked with Bob at Cobourg Hospital. He was an amicable and willing coworker, always cheerful and helpful. Please accept my sincere condolences.