Obituary of Robert Preston

ROBERT DOUGLAS PRESTON 1944 - 2013 Bob was the best of the best - just ask anyone! Intelligent, thoughtful, kind, fun, loyal, loving, generous in thought and deed. In the last few weeks we have learned that Bob or "Pooh", as he was more commonly known, was considered to be the best friend of so many - and we were not surprised! He was a renaissance man with wide ranging interests and skills - a lawyer with a strong legal mind, a curious intellect, a wealth of knowledge, an incredible memory, an awesome skier, a pretty decent squash player and golfer, a lover of fine wine and wooden boats, a Muskoka cottage addict, an audiophile, a consumer of books, a Mr. Fix-it extraordinaire, a world traveller, a hoarder of all things useless, a family man, a lover of dogs and tolerater of cats… and all this wrapped in a cloak of modesty. His partner Susan (Isbister) will remember him for all this and more. Bob was predeceased by his mother and father Dot and Les Preston of St. Thomas. He was the best 'little' brother possible to sisters Penny Preston and Anne (and Kerry) Day and a terrific brother-in-law to Betty Isbister and Janet (Jim) MacKenzie. He was a guidance-giving uncle to Kelly Carr, Tracy (Brian) Day Steele, Karen Day (predeceased), Bryan (Laura) Day, Kristi MacKenzie Riding, Kari LaPensee, Rob and Megan MacKenzie and a great great-uncle to Taylor and Preston Carr, Hannah and Sophia Day Steele and Jaimie, Connor and Graydon Day. His assistant of 38 years Mary Bulloch, will always be considered a member of our family for her loyal dedication and skill in supporting Bob so well in his law practice over so many years. Bob, a graduate of UWO, had not yet retired because he still enjoyed his work as Managing Partner at Ricketts Harris, his wonderful colleagues there, his clients and the challenges of his law practice. Bob enjoyed many years of camaraderie with 'the boys 'at both the Toronto Racquet Club and the Port Carling Golf Club many of whom became life-long friends and travel buddies. Princess Margaret Hospital was beyond even our highest expectations - we are so grateful to Doctors Malcolm Moore, Andre Shuh, Anna Rydlewski and Santosh Thiagu and nurses too many to name for their medical expertise, their offerings of hope and their kind and considerate care. It is a truly remarkable place and we feel fortunate to have received care there. A gathering to celebrate Bob's love of life will be held in ARMOUR HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 105 Wilson Avenue, Toronto at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, June 10, followed by a reception at The Cricket Club, 141 Wilson Avenue. In his memory we would be delighted if young people were encouraged to sign up to be stem cell donors with Canadian Blood Services' One Match network (www.blood.ca), giving others the chance that Bob had, or donations to Princess Margaret Hospital would be appreciated. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.