“On Friday, December 18, 2015, I lost my best friend, the love of my life.” It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert (Bobby) Parks, beloved husband of Elizabeth (Bette) (nee Watts) at his home in Lombardy, ON. Dearly loved stepfather of Wende (Len Hanes) in Kanata and Michael Charlebois (Kristina Pilypaitis) of Lombardy. He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren whom he loved and respected highly, Christopher (Kellie) Griffith of Munster Hamlet, Cameron Hanes of Ottawa, and Collin Hanes of Kanata, as well as Curtis and Brandon Charlebois. Proud Poppa to his beautiful great grandchildren, Cole and twins Keira and Kelayna Griffith. Loved brother-in-law of Jim (Sandra) Watts of Napanee. Bob is also survived by his daughter Wonnietta Zarb (Joe) and her children, son Duane (Laura) Parks and his children, and their mother, Maizie Parks. Left to grieve his passing is his loving mother, Bessie Parks of Almonte (formerly Maberly), his cherished siblings, sister Joyce Heney of Glen Tay, brothers Earle (Cheryl) of Maberly, and Gordon (Cathy) of Otty Lake, and sister Doris Parks Elford (Cliff) of Woodlawn. Predeceased by his father John Storey Parks and brother-in-law Harry Heney. He will be greatly missed by his nieces and nephews Karen Batoff (Harold) and family, Lisa Waddell (Tom) and family, Angela Cameron (Scott) and family, David Parks (Betty) and family, Kim Bell (Brent) and family, Ewen Parks (Jessica) and family, Sonya Felsman (Andy) and family, Rachel Roth (Adam) and family, Ryan Elford (Christine) and family, Cindy Bennett (Mark) and family, and Tristan Watts. Bob enjoyed the benefits of a large extended family with many cousins throughout Eastern Ontario and beyond, including Bridgen’s, Garner’s, Mosier’s, Hannah’s, Gaylord’s, Kirkham’s, and Kehoe’s. Bob was born in Kingston, ON and spent almost all of his childhood in Maberly ON. He developed many friends as a youngster and maintained those friendships over the years. He graduated from Sharbot Lake High School in 1958 and worked as a carpenter building barns for a few years and then as a well-liked corrections officer with the Federal Penitentiary Services. He changed careers in 1970, graduating from St. Lawrence College and earning his journeyman carpenter’s license, and then working in various parts of Eastern Ontario. He and Bette were married in Smiths Falls in April 1978 and lived in Lombardy, ON, where he resided until his passing. He worked most recently as a carpenter for Parks and Recreation Smiths Falls, retiring in 2001 after a serious lung illness. He met and made many, many friends over the years and treasured each and every one of them. He maintained contact with them, sharing their joys and sorrows, and lending a helping hand whenever he could. It was a standing joke in his household that, give him 5 minutes, and he would be related to you. It seldom failed. Bob enjoyed hunting and fishing and feeding the birds in the wintertime. He told stories of his youth and could make people laugh with any number of them. Cremation was organized by Lannin’s Funeral Home on December 19, 2015, and a very special toast will be made to him at his family’s Christmas dinner. He would have wished every one of his friends a Merry Christmas and would not want any of them to be sad for him. He is in a far better place breathing free. For those who wish to, donations to the Perth and Smiths Falls Hospital in honour of Dr. Raphael Shew and his nurse Arlie Dobson, Dr. E. Kushnir and her ER staff, and the wonderful staff of the ICU all in Smiths Falls would be appreciated. He loved and respected all of you. A Celebration of Life will be held for Bob and all his friends and family at the South Elmsley Municipal Complex (OPP Building), 441 Highway 15, Lombardy on Saturday, January 9, 2016 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Please bring your favourite stories and memories to share of this extraordinary man. Many thanks and love to all of you who made a difference in his life. “Goodbye my love, until we meet again.”