Family of Robert Widdifield
We were very sorry to hear of Robert’s passing. He was always a kind and considerate tenant in our parents’ building.
The Field family
WIDDIFIELD, Robert
1964 - 2023
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert Barry Widdifield (Robbie) of Englehart Ontario on July 24, 2023 Robbie was born on September 5, 1964 to Audrey and Roger Widdifield . Robbie was pre-deceased by his parents, Roger, and Audrey. He is survived by his brother Kevin Widdifield, sister Laurie Gibbons (Robert Durocher) his niece Sabrina Gibbons (Martin Cantin) and his niece and nephews Esmae ,William an Desmond Cantin.
Rob graduated from Englehart high school then he worked for Ontario Northland railway (maintenance of way ). He spent many years in Moosonee working under ONTel which he eventually retired from.
Rob was a very quiet person, but he enjoyed his time spent with his friends. . Rob also liked fishing and hunting in his spare time. He had a very generous heart. I remember a couple of times he knew a family with three kids, and a very low income. He bought winter snow suits and boots for all three kids. He was always happy to share with others.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Englehart Ontario for family and friends.
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The familly and friends of Rob
I had the pleasure to both work with Rob and share the staff house with him while working in Moosonee. As you mentioned Rob was very kind hearted but also had a great sense of humor. One of the stories I remember the most was Rob noticed a stray dog that was struggling and decided our staff house needed a friend!! He brought the dog in and we adopted him as a family member. We had not yet come up with a name for our new family member so Rob thought long and hard. The dog would get a fresh bowl of water and within 2-5 minutes would pee someplace in the house. Rob quickly discovered the name of our new pet would be RELOAD!!
Rob will be sorely missed, but know in your hearts that his memories will not be forgotten.
May my support
warm your heart
Family of Rob Widdifield
I am sorry to hear of Robert's passing. When he was working for Ontario Northland Telecom in Moosonee, I was a central office technician who had the privilege of working with him. He was a very pleasant and hard working person during the day, and at night brought light to everyone he encountered. My condolences to the family at this time. Michael Cebasek
Rob's Family
Very sorry to hear of Rob's passing. I met Rob in 1994 when I was first posted as a technician in Moosonee. As Rob was the lineman assigned to Moose Factory, he would take the daily trip by water taxi in summer or drive on the ice in winter. It was obvious he liked working "over there", and many of the locals would tease and joke with him as he went on his way fixing troubles.
I recall many times being sent to Moose Factory to do work and Rob was always there to pick me up or bring me where I needed to go as he had the only assigned vehicle over there. He was always quick to find a joke or something to tease about, and we had many laughs.
One memory that sticks out was early winter when Rob and I were assigned to go do work at the Moose Factory mall, and as it was freeze up, we flew over by helicopter that morning. By mid afternoon, fog had rolled in and the flights back were cancelled. The only place we could stay was the new motel at the mall, but I didn't have enough money to pay for a room. Rob said no problem, and covered my room until I was able to pay him back.
Another memory is the time we had to go over to work on a trouble in early winter, but there were no helicopters and the ice was not thick enough for vehicles yet. Rob flagged down a local who was willing to put us in his snowmobile sleigh and pull us across by Skidoo for $20...I remember thinking that Rob was crazy, but his concern was that the customer had no phone service and we had to get there somehow. We made it there and back safely, and the customer (and Rob) were happy.
My sincere condolences for his passing.
May my support
warm your heart
