His Worship Robert Thomas Gay
September 2, 1941 - January 8, 2021

Robert Thomas Gay, Retired Ontario Justice of the Peace passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer on Friday January 8, 2021 surrounded by his family in his 80th year.

Robert, beloved husband of Pauline (nee Durkin). Loving father of Pauline (David Okum) of Waterloo and Theresa (Owen Gifford) of Welland. Dear Grampy of AJ, Zach, Aidan, Josh and Abby. He will be sadly missed by his many colleagues, cousins, and friends.

Robert, “Bob” as he was affectionately known, was an amazing life partner, adventurer, and husband to Pauline “Polly” for 53 years. Robert “Bob” will be forever remembered for being larger than life to his friends, family, and grandchildren. An avid boater and family man, he spent his leisure time cruising Georgian Bay and later tending the grass at his cottage. “Grampy” as he was lovingly referred to by his grandchildren because of his generous spirit, his appreciation of good times, summer tractor rides at the cottage, endless games of checkers and family celebrations.

Robert was born September 2nd, 1941 in Oshawa Ontario to Phyllis (nee Rouselle) and Oliver Gay. Bob spent much of his childhood with his cousin George Murless. The two were inseparable and had great adventures together. In 1968 Bob joined the Federal Service and began his career as a Northern Service officer in the Northwest Territories Baffin Region as the Regional Finance Officer. Robert continued to work for the Federal Service when he made the decision to move his family back to Ontario where he worked for the Federal Government in various capacities. In 1987 he accepted an appointment to the Bench as a Presiding Justice of the Peace where he served as the Honourable Worship Robert T. Gay until retirement in 2016. His Worship worked on pre-trials from Windsor to Owen Sound and areas in between and helped to establish the existing pre-trial system. Although Bob has left us, much earlier than either we or Bob himself, would have wanted, he has left his footprint, one that cannot be erased.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Chapman House especially Dr. Alex, Matt, Tiarra and Stacy for their care and support. The family would also like to thank the wonderful team at London Health Sciences, especially Dr. Vandenberg for their care and support.

Due to current covid restrictions the family cannot receive friends and relatives at this time. A private funeral service will be held on Friday, January 15, 2021 at Cameron Funeral Home, Walkerton at 11:00 a.m. and will be livestreamed through Robert’s memorial page. Fr. Leszek Szczygiel officiating. . Interment at Calvary Cemetery to follow. A celebration of life to be held at a later date.

Memorial donations to Wellness & Emotional Support (WES) For Youth Online, Canadian Cancer Society, and Chapman House - Residential Hospice of Grey Bruce, would be gratefully appreciated by the family. Messages of condolence and or sharing of favourite memories are very welcomed and may be made online at www.cameronfuneralhomes.com