Bob Lawson

Robert (Bob) Allan Lawson passed away peacefully on May 9, 2026, at Huntsville Hospice.

Bob was born on July 6, 1937, to proud parents Marguerite (née Spalding) and Al of Mimico, ON. The family owned and operated Viking Fish and Chips on the Queensway from 1952 to 1977. Bob’s parents taught him and his two sisters, Diane (Harding) and Judy (Walton), the importance of family, hard work, and doing your best. As a little boy, he would pedal his tricycle down the street to buy smokes for his dad and later delivered fish and chips (by car) during his school lunch break.

Bob attended Mimico High, where he met the love of his life, Lynn (née Thomas). After high school, he graduated from math and physics at the University of Toronto before marrying Lynn – he always said that marrying her was the best decision he ever made! Bob and Lynn dedicated themselves to raising their 4 children: Rob (Kerry), Sandra (Erik), Jennifer (Todd), and Andrew (Trish). Bob served the Toronto District School Board as a teacher, vice-principal and principal for 32 years. He was a caring leader committed to excellence in education. He worked with students, parents, teachers and the community to build welcoming schools that celebrated the arts, academics and athleticism equally. He will be remembered especially for his time as Principal of Oakwood Collegiate and Humberside Collegiate, from where he retired in 1993.

Bob lived life to the fullest and had a long and happy retirement with Lynn at their cottage on Ril Lake. Over time, they moved to Walker Lake and in 2022 to a townhouse on Fairy Lake as part of the Muskoka Landing retirement community. He walked through many forests, paddled lakes and rivers, built things in his workshop, and tended to his beautiful gardens. Bob made significant contributions to the community through his leadership and volunteerism with the Baysville Curling Club, Baysville Horticultural Society and Huntsville Curling Club. He was a “professional” grandfather who built magical toys for his 5 granddaughters (Dorothy, Rebecca, Isabelle, Alicia and Caitlyn) and loved nothing more than to hear them chattering as they hunted for frogs along the shore or hooting and hollering as they jumped off his barge into the lake.

Bob leaves behind his devoted wife Lynn of almost 65 years, his 4 children and their families, 2 sisters, 2 nieces and 3 nephews. The family wishes to thank Dr. Helen Dempster for her steadfast care and the staff of the Huntsville Hospital and Hospice Huntsville.

Funeral Service to be held on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 2 pm at Bethune United Church, Baysville, ON, followed by a reception. Donations to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation or the Hospice Huntsville would be appreciated.

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