Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at the age of 95. Bob was born on June 6, 1927, in Toronto, ON to the late Henry (Harry) Beggs and Elizabeth (Lil) Gillespie. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 68 years, Barbara (St. John) Beggs. He is survived by his devoted children, Jo-Anne Beggs, and Michael Beggs. His grandchildren Callan, Lacey, and Rowan Beggs brought boundless joy to his life. Beloved nieces and nephews completed his family circle. Predeceased by his brother Edward Beggs, sisters Margaret Brown and Dorothy Legree, and his much-loved daughter-in-law Teresa (Terri) Beggs. Bob was a devoted, loyal, and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, family member and friend. The “jewel in the crown” of his life was meeting and holding, just weeks ago, his four-month-old great-granddaughter Abigail Teresa Beggs, daughter of his grandson Callan and his partner Kayla Batista.

A self-proclaimed “people person”, Bob was truly defined by his love of laughter, fun and family. The loves of his life? Always Barb. He told everyone he met that “it was love at first sight” and “the longest blind date ever” ... a 68-year marriage ending with her death in 2020. Bob loved summer, the cottage, sunbathing, the beach, road trips, golf. Being a dad and seeing his children grow, taking pride in the adults they’d grown to be. Babysitting, sleepovers, and all time spent with his grandchildren. No matter their age. Meeting his great-granddaughter Abigail for the first time. Memories of great times in the “50s with “the old gang” while dating Barbara. Weeks wintering with the “Florida gang” in later years. Time on the links with his golf buddies. Watching Married with Children and receiving a signed script from a personal connection to the show. His condo friends. Time with his Irish daughter-in-law’s parents and family during visits. Putting together many photo albums, cherished now. Disappearing to McDonald’s for coffee, a muffin and chatting with whomever. And always chocolate!

His life had as much sparkle as he! A Student Council member at Mimico High School in Grade 12, he was the delegate to Eaton’s Department Store Junior Executive Council. This led to him working with Eaton’s in a Management Training Program in 1949, graduating with a B.A. from the University of Toronto. After their marriage in 1952, he and Barbara moved to Moncton where he traveled the Maritimes as an institutional furnishings’ salesman for Eaton’s. They later returned to Toronto, and he continued to grow his career as they welcomed Jo-Anne and Mike. At 36, Bob changed careers, entering the field of Education. He taught Business and Law at Mimico High School and was the Educational Director of Night School Programs until his early retirement at age 60. It says everything that students still recognized him and approached to say hi at street festivals well into his late 80’s!

Bob loved life and his was full of interesting experiences! He modeled a parka for the Eaton’s catalogue at 16, sold Orange Julius at Sunnyside as a teen, played hockey and lacrosse, hitchhiked across Canada and the U.S. with his best buddy after graduation from U of T, with Barb he collected and restored Canadian pine furniture, taught his children to play golf, for years loved to winter in Florida with “the Florida Gang”, exploring small towns and haunts along the drive. Even in late life he could spontaneously recite poems in entirety, recount world history. His love of education and learning never ceased. And his final years, he read large print mystery books voraciously!

Every day, Bob’s wish was to spread cheer, to bring a laugh, a smile. Every day, he was inspired by his love of life, by his love of his loved ones, his love of people at large. Every day he smiled, he was kind, he shared a chuckle. Every day, he made this world a kinder, more beautiful place. Every day, he will be missed. Every day we will continue to hold him in our hearts.

Family and Friends will be received at THE SIMPLE ALTERNATIVE FUNERAL CENTRE- MISSISSAUGA 1535 South Gateway Road (at Dixie Road, two lights south of Eglinton) 905-602-1580 on Saturday April 1, 2023 for a Visitation from 10 – 11 a.m. A Celebration of Bob’s Life will follow at 11 a.m. A Livestream of the Celebration of Life will be available for those viewing from home. A link will appear at the top of the Memorial Page just before the event starts.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society Canada or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.