Robert (Bob) Hugh McPhee

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert ‘Bob’ Hugh McPhee, of Innisfail, Alberta, on Monday, December 5, 2022 at the age of 87 years.

He was a resident at Sunset Manor Assisted Living in Innisfail, Alberta.

Bob was born March 30, 1935, in Yorkton, Saskatchewan to Ernest and Mary (nee Clouston) McPhee. He was raised on the family farm in Springside, Saskatchewan.

Bob was an avid baseball player in his teens, it was said he had the fastest pitch in the region.

He left Springside and would become a certified Red Seal Welder and used his skills to work on many pipelines throughout Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

On August 19, 1966, he married Margaret Durrant in Eastend, Saskatchewan. Bob, Margaret, and their young family, moved to Fort St. John, British Columbia. Bob worked at Flint for many years as a specialized, highly skilled, high pressure pipeline welder. He would eventually manage his own successful company, ‘Hyland Oilfield’. The company grew to be the largest oil and gas construction-maintenance company in Fort St John, and at times, he employed over one hundred people. Bob was a wise businessman and was highly respected by his employees and the business community. He then sold the company and continued to consult various customers in the area. After Bob retired, they packed up everything including fifteen classic cars and moved to a beautiful acreage in Innisfail, Alberta in 1998.

Bob was an avid sports fan and loved to watch almost all sports, but baseball and hockey had his undivided attention. Anytime people went to visit you could guarantee he had some kind of game going on the TV. His biggest passion, however, was for classic cars. Over many years, Bob collected various vehicles including his favorites; a 1965 Chevrolet Impala and a 1963 Studebaker Avanti. His love of classic cars led him to start the ‘FSJ Classic Cruisers’ in Fort St. John, British Columbia and he was also heavily involved with the Innisfail Classic Car Club and the Cruiser Club of Red Deer, Alberta.

Bob was also known for his generosity and providing a helping hand with whomever needed it. He was a kind and gentle spirit who had a soft spot for cats and enjoyed gardening and growing flowers.

Bob will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his wife of fifty-six years, Margaret; his son, Lance McPhee of Edmonton, Alberta; his three daughters, Shelly McPhee (Harry Offizier) of Fort St. John, British Columbia, Melanie (Mark) Drolsbaugh of Lansdale, PA and Shawna (Gene) Tomashefski of Philadelphia, PA, his eight grandchildren, Carlene (Dan) Goss, Donovan (Kelsey) Ohland, Jayden Offizier, Darren, Brandon and Lacey Drolsbaugh, and Shay and Zoe Tomashefski; and his three great grandchildren, Lynden (Danielle), Riley, and Larissa Goss. He will also be deeply missed by his sister, Joanne Lanaway of Macklin, Saskatchewan, his brother, Neil McPhee of Thailand, along with several nieces and nephews.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Mary McPhee, a brother, James McPhee, and a great-great grandson, Raphael Goss.

A Celebration of Life will take place during the summer of 2023. It will start in Innisfail, Alberta and culminate in Fort St. John, British Columbia where he will be interred.

If desired, Memorial Donations may be made directly to:

Canadian Cancer Society, 200-325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 2P5 click here to donate online,

The Family Network for Deaf Children, click here to donate,

or to a Charity of the Donor’s Choice

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