Obituary of Dr. Robert Ernest Mann
In the early hours of Tuesday, May 3, 2022 our dearly beloved Bob passed on to stardust. Born March 23, 1952, he leaves behind his wife, Maureen (Forbes); son, Duncan; daughter, Alison (Michelle); brother, Richard (Gloria); brother-in-law, William Forbes (Janeen); nieces, Tamara and Coreen; nephews, Phillipp and Devin; and second nephew, Xavier as well as several close cousins. Predeceased by father Charles Mann and mother Inez Mann (Crowe). Bob grew up in the unique community of Burwash, a village near Sudbury, and still held deep affection for the close buddies he grew up with.
A doctoral graduate of the University of Waterloo, Bob was a Senior Scientist with the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research at CAMH and an Associate Scientist with the Centre for Research on Inner City Health at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. He was an Associate Professor with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health in the faculty of Medicine and Director of the Collaborative Program in Addiction Studies, both at the University of Toronto, as well as a former Chairperson of the National Board of Directors at Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada. For his work with MADD he was awarded a Commemorative Medal for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 in recognition of his contributions to Canada. His research focused on alcohol and drug problems and the identification of factors that increase and decrease them. His research provided evidence-based improvements in public health policy and benefited Canadians greatly. He generously devoted his expertise and time to mentoring numerous junior researchers and colleagues, who remember him with great respect and fondness.
His greatest love and attention were devoted to his family. He tirelessly supported Maureen through years of cancer treatments and her research. He supported Alison’s passions for ballet, the arts, and figure skating, and spent long hours driving all over Ontario to support her synchronized skating career. With great humour he even performed himself with the All-Dad team the Ice Buckets. He supported Duncan through many six a.m. practices for hockey and cheered him through many years of soccer and baseball games, preparation for long drives back to Sudbury for university, and most recently he became fast friends with Duncan’s new kitten, in spite of the circumstances. He delighted in being able to bring his family along on business trips, including many road trips to Washington, DC and longer journeys to the UK and Europe, where he helped four year old Duncan see the bells atop the bell tower on Koln Cathedral. His greatest pride was that his children are decent, caring human beings who make the world a better place. He made manhood an honourable state.
The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville) from 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 10th followed by a service in the Chapel at 1:00 p.m. At the request of the family, guests are required to wear masks.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to MADD Canada. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.
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