It is with great sadness that the family of Robert “Bob” John Percy announce his passing on Tuesday May 26th 2026 at the age of 93.

Bob was an avid traveller, sports fan and social butterfly; it didn’t matter who you were or where you met, he was ready to chat. From Willowdale, to Richmond Hill, even all the way across Canada and abroad, he was always eager to talk with people and make you feel like you were friends or family from the get go.

He first met Barbara back in 1953; she had been invited to a ballgame by her friend Donna Ferris - she wanted to go watch her boyfriend Dave Williams play but didn’t want to go alone. Bob happened to play for the same team as Dave. They married three years later on September 22 1956 and remained together for 69 years until his passing. He happily dedicated his life to loving and caring for Barb and making sure she was always happy.

On Friday nights, Bob & Barb would meet up with a group of friends known as “the Fish N Chippers”; where they would always go out for dinner, and then head to one of the “Chippers” homes for the evening. This tradition lasted for several decades and their stories and escapades lived in infamy among the family when the stories and laughs would be shared.

After 42 years of working at Dover Elevator as an electrician, Bob retired and he and Barb began travelling with their friends Bunny & Bud Ibbotson, even sometimes getting his twin brother Gord and wife Donna to come along with them. Visiting places across Canada, the US, England and Scotland, they made so many memories and was ready to tell those tales to anyone who asked.

As a sports fan, he was known to play Softball (to which he also coached and became President of the Willowdale Softball League), Golf and Curling; but most people know him as a hockey fan, especially the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was a season ticket holder for the team for decades, and even passed the tickets down to his daughter. He would play hockey with his son, take his kids to Leafs games, and continued that tradition by taking his grandsons to games as well. He had competitive hockey pools with his granddaughters (to which he somehow ALWAYS won) and was always ready to discuss the latest win (or often collapse) of the Leafs. A few days before his passing, he did something nobody ever believed he would do; he told his son-in-law John “Go Habs Go!” to cheer them on in the 25/26 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This brought so much joy and laughs because nobody ever thought the leader of our Leafs family would cheer for the Habs of all teams! His love of hockey was passed down to his kids, and now to his grandkids.

Affectionately known as Papa, he was always ready to spend time with his grandkids. Whether it was taking them to hockey games, babysitting, playing games, discussing books and authors, or just being ready with a big hug for when he was needed, he was a constant figure in their lives growing up. He was a never wavering force and was someone they could always rely on when they needed him. He even made it to earning the title of Great-Grandfather when his eldest grandson became a father.

In 2024 Bob and Barb made the decision to move from their condo into Richmond Hill Retirement Residence, where Bob very quickly became a presence during game times; particularly bean bag toss and Scattergories. His many friends at the home send their well wishes and condolences to the family.

Bob will be lovingly remembered by his wife Barb, children Kenneth (Jo-ann) and Denise (John), grandchildren Jessica, Ryan (Leticia), Jaclynn and Jake, great-granddaughter Sofia, his twin brother Gordon, and his many nieces and nephews (Percy’s and Greenhorn’s).

At Bob’s request, a service will not be held. Instead, a graveside prayer for family will happen on Saturday June 6th at 2:00pm, followed by a Celebration of Life at 3:00pm for family at York Cemetery and Funeral Centre.

York Cemetery and Funeral Centre
160 Beecroft Rd
North York, ON
M2N 1W7