Contributions to the tribute of Robert John McCrea

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Valerie Payne posted a condolence

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

While growing up in Ireland we were a very close family and there was always great excitment when the "Canadian McCreas" were visiting. We had so many happy family times in my Granny's home, it was as if we had never been apart. We told stories (Uncle Bob was best at that), we sang, had supper together and enjoyed joking with each other. (The Irish say what they think!! there is never any bad feeling). When I was young Uncle Bob alway said "you are one of my favourite nieces" which I thought was so endearing - then I realized he only had two nieces!!! When he retired Uncle Bob and Auntie Thora came to Ireland every year and my children loved playing board games with him - their favourite was UNO. My son Andrew now lives in Winnipeg so I enjoyed stopping off with Uncle Bob when I visited Canada. A special time was when my Mum, daughter Judith and Auntie Marjorie surprised him for his 90th birthday. Love Valerie

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Ruth Perry posted a condolence

Sunday, November 4, 2012

I don't remember a time when we were not the best of friends especially when you arrived 1 year after me. My best memory is of the 90th Birthday Surpise when I travelled to Canada. I had to check with my doctor if I was fit to travel at 91 but he was more worried that the surprise would give Bob a heart attack!! We spent 3 memorable days today and I have never forgotten that special time. Even in our telephone conversations we always talked about this time and we always said we would love to see each other again. I will miss our chats. Your loving sister, Ruth.

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Terry Lynn (Schneider) Phillips posted a condolence

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Dear Kathleen, Ruth and Family: You know that your dad holds a special place in my heart. I shall never forget doing the twist with him at the front door every time he came to our house...and I shall always hold dear the significance of him being able to officiate my parents wedding, my baptism and then he and Kathleen officiating my own wedding. Feels full circle... and now I hope that God greats him at the door of heaven...doing the twist...because heaven is about to get a little bit more lively up there... love to all... Terry Lynn

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Andy, Jenni, Emily, Brian, Gillian, Steve and Katy lit a candle

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Our deepest sympathies are with you and your family.

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Rev. George R Bell posted a condolence

Thursday, November 1, 2012

First off, "Bob" was one of my dearest and closest friends. We both arrived in Harriston, Ontario on the same day in 1979. We laughed because Bob & Thora's belongings arrived in a 'scoured-out' cattle truck and my belongings arrived in a steam-cleaned seed truck. From day ONE, we became good friends and colleagues in ministry; he in the United Church and me in the Presbyterian Church. Together we shared almost everything. The congregation I served was as much at home with Bob as they were with me and vice-versa. Every week for many years we met to share a coffee/tea and a whole host of stories. The stories grew in their detail, the more we repeated them. After I moved from Harriston in 1996, we kept in contact, one way or another. Our visits together will be etched on my memory and heart for as long as I live. There is absolutely no way that anything this small but big-hearted Irishman ever said or did for me, that could ever go away from my memory bank. In a word, I loved him and I always believed he loved me. In fact, he was the one Irishman that I knew who appreciated the bagpipe - at least so he would say! Anyway, I will dearly miss him, as I do Thora. I know that wherever he went, either as a minister or as an outstanding human bein, he left soemthing of his honest personality and deep faith behind for someone else to share. My deepest sympathy goes out to Ruth and Katherine, their husbands and children. Your Dad was small in stature but "tremendously big" in everything else. I will miss him more than my words can ever express. We laughed so much and even cried together. Thank you for sharing your Dad with me for so many years and even for all time. "I'll see you at Tim's, Bob!" George

In loving memory of

Robert

2012

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