Bob Armitage

I’m honoured to be the one taking us on a short trip through the life of our fallen friend.

Although I’ve experienced a lifetime with Army, I’ll walk you through just a few precious moments in our life experiences.  The closer you were to him, the more you will feel the same warm & fuzzies that I get… that passion that he felt for life, for fun, and for friends. 

There was a time when he went to high school; it was Wheable in south London. 

He’s in Grade nine, and I meet him on the sidewalk just off school property… where the smokers have to be. 

He’s with my friend Worm that I’ve already known for ten years or so..  Worm says he’s in his class.

You needed to see it… here’s this redheaded kid with the goofiest haircut…. TWO BIG WAVES going right down the middle of his head. 

I learn his name that day.  They called him Dink for some reason.  Dink Armitage.

That was forty-five years ago.

Through those high school years, a bond was formed that shall last forever.

Whether roller skating at the London Arena several nights a week, or street racing on Sharon side road after leaving the Three Little Pigs, or camping out at the Port Franks bridge before going to the drags at the Bend – we were always doing something together as a large group of friends.  We were family.

As friends, we were part of his family too.  As a teenager, I clearly remember his parent’s 25^th anniversary in Bryanston… my first square dance!! And Uncle Wilmer’s BA station in Thamesford… And Uncle Cec’s famous Shilileah club in Lucan… and snowmobiling at cousin Gary’s parents and Uncle Harris in Blythe – to mention only a few!!

As close friends, we got to know each other’s parents. 

But Army’s were just a bit different.  They were parents to about fifty of us. 

There was his Dad.  Eugene.  Jovial. Kind.  Funny. 

With a basement full of home-made wheat-whiskey….

He knew we would sneak one out occasionally and I think that was OK with him cause we were learning something…  how to end our nights with either a face in the big white phone, or a body wretching with dry-heaves - curled up on the floor. 

I’m sure it was just Eugene’s way of helping us grow up; showing us how to drink responsibly.  We soon learned well where the edge was. 

And his mom, Mae.  Or as we called her…. Ma Bear. 

On any given Sunday, Ma and Pa could be quietly enjoying their cottage at Port Stanley when suddenly a party would erupt.  Kids with no plans would just ‘go to Port’…

It could suddenly be a party of 10 or 30 or 50 even.  No structure; nothing organized.  Just a drop-in to go smelt fishing or play horseshoes or euchre or cribbage.  I know that’s where I learned all those games.  And Ma feeding everyone with us kids pitching in wherever she made us. 

Although we were having way too much fun to know it, Ma and Pa were teaching us invaluable life skills… skills that have influenced all of us from that era.

You can see some traits developing here that Army proudly perfected - in his own way, with his own touch.  Family values…. The hospitality trait… Always the perfect host….

Tradition and heritage are important for the Armitage clan.

So when it was time to get a job, his Dad said work here at Labatt’s.  It’s a good place, great people and they have a lunch room with free beer. 

Ahhh Labatts 50. That friend - for so many journeys.  That friend that even made it to an Indianapolis courtroom.  There were nine of us that night – plucked out of Army’s 1951 Buick and rudely incarcerated for such mute charges as disorderly conduct and indecent exposure… Only three were of legal age, and Army the driver was NOT one of them.  Fortunately his borrowed ID got him off the ‘underage’ hook – but unfortunately - his ID donor friend still has a record in the US.  That was 40 years ago.

He had a passion for travel, for adventure, for nature.  Many of you are his hunting and fishing pals, and although I wasn’t, I did hear random reports during those early years of the annual treks to Sturgeon Falls  - of big ones – and of some that didn’t get away!!

Army developed a flair for food and drink as a means of entertainment, and with Ma as his partner, became a full-fledged entrepreneur at the Clifton Hotel - in Port Stanley of course. And how many times did we all end up there playing darts, singing mid-seventies music or helping do chores – whatever was needed.  

That was 30 years ago.

Travel took Army and Linda to Europe for several months where they partied of course, but they also worked, they learned culture and of course, they established relationships with people from around the world, several of whom chose to later visit them here in Canada. Working thereafter with prominent London restauranteurs, both he and Linda further honed their entertainment and hospitality skills.

The lure of meeting new people and the thrill of the open road called again, and his career changed.  He was off selling leathers to motorcycle shops across the country.  The big farm house in Delaware hosted a great party under the big tent - in the mud  - on his front lawn.

 That was 24 years ago.

When the PaintMaster opportunity surfaced in Sarnia, they moved to that beautiful shoreline location in Brights Grove.  That was 21 years ago.

Army immersed himself in the Sarnia community and various social clubs and activities – knowing of course that it would be good for business. Trading this for that and building his business and his home became another passion.

He had that unique way of meeting someone once – and making them feel like an old friend.

But it went beyond that.  Army developed a sincere desire to do good for the community and especially kids.  His contribution to the camps, the parades and other Optimist activities were part of many stories he told me.

it must have been something in the Sarnia water, or simply an urge to settle down - but finally Army started his own family. 

Bailey now 21 and beautiful taking sports marketing at college in Oshawa….

Brodie now a hulk at only 18 and on the doorstep of making his mark in life…..

and Briar, now our sweet 16 hugging machine. 

As time went on, Army’s interests in culture and art were greatly enhanced during his life with Joanne.  They have experienced a relationship over the last ten years that fostered a whole new side to his character.  It encompassed his basic family values of love and friendship, melted together with nature and social interaction. 

Who else do you know that has a totem pole in their living room or a tee-pee in their back yard?  Army & Joanne do.

Disease is a nasty enemy.  It took our dear friend John Gaudio just last November, and now has finally taken our friend Army to his hunt camp in the sky.  Joanne has been by his side through all of it, driving daily to London while he was there.  Brother Forrest, - with  Frankie - has made countless trips from Stratford.  Sister Noreen and Ron came from Goderich.  Linda made sure the kids saw him and an endless stream of friends have been there to share the pain and to comfort him.

Through it all, Army never lost hope.  Never would he talk about the inevitable ending; rather only what was next when he got out.  Never would he complain about the pain but rather about the young nurse that wouldn’t bathe him right - down there.

Through it all there have also been great moments and special memories.  Like the Easter weekend getaway last year to Little Britt up by Parry Sound, and the reunion party at Pam & Wills exactly one year ago last weekend.  The pictures capture the relationship we all shared with him and they freeze that bond forever in our minds.

Each of you had your own special times with Army somewhere along the timelines that I have just chronicled.  And each of you will have your own special memories…

Those are yours to cherish, to treasure and to nurture.  They are about a special relationship --- with a special guy.

The neat thing about Memories is the associated stories, and the stories are what make us able to share those memories.

So as we go forward together into a new life without Army, let’s continue to share those memories of a great guy, great times, great kids, great friends and a great lifetime of knowing him. 

He will leave a big hole that NOBODY will ever be able to fill.

He has given us the task to move forward, taking something from our relationship with him to make us better people and to contribute in our own way to making it a better world. 

SO… when you see us comin’ bro… set the table – and get out the silver.

Cheers Buddy….

Rum & Cokes to yuh…. 

Brooksie May 05 06