Robert Bisbee

Bob passed away peacefully on April 22, 2026, in Barrie, Ontario, at the age of 84.

Robert George Bisbee was born on December 31, 1941, in Simcoe, Ontario, the first of two sons born to George and Edna Bisbee. His younger brother William (Bill) predeceased him at a young age. Delhi was his hometown and Bob made sure that bi-annual trips to Delhi ensured his children had a wonderful relationship with their grandparents.

Bob married Joan Slack in 1965, and they frequently joked it was cheaper to marry her than repay the money he borrowed from her. Bob completed his teaching degree and spent time teaching in Peterborough before moving north in 1970 to begin teaching at Almaguin Highlands Secondary School. He taught Physical Education there until he retired and was extensively involved in extracurricular sports at the school. He had a passion for coaching basketball, volleyball, wrestling, monitoring the smoking area, and demanding ball caps off in class, among other activities. Bob immensely enjoyed coordinating track and field events and his passion for sports continued until his passing.

Bob and Joan spent more than 50 years in Sundridge and Bob enjoyed being involved in local baseball teams, the Sundridge Oldtimers, tapping trees and making maple syrup with friends, and any other activity that would keep him outdoors. Bob loved to hunt and fish, and the annual “May 24” weekend was always reserved for fishing trips with his friends. Family photo albums overflow with photos of great catches.

Dad worked hard to instill a love of the outdoors in his children. Fishing with Dad meant earning ‘bionic caramels’ when a fish was caught (or when we began to get tired) and family and neighbour camping trips were a highlight, and only now do we fully appreciate that while we moaned about carrying one backpack on a portage he would carry the canoe, paddles, food packs and whatever else needed to be moved from one lake to another.

His children called him “Big Guy” right to the end. We will remember him being tall and strong. We will remember jumping off his shoulders when swimming and being shoulder carried when we got tired walking around Lake Bernard.

Dad was immensely proud and caring towards his children and he loved to talk teaching with Mitch when Mitch followed in his footsteps. It was not uncommon for him to drive 5 hours to take his daughter out to lunch to then turn around and drive home again.

Bob will be forever remembered by his children Mitchell (Debbie Bisbee) and Heather (Nick Briggs) and his grandchildren, Emmett, Avery, and Emelia. He is predeceased by his wife Joan. Cribbage games will continue in his honor as he taught all of us how to play.

Tim Hortons and Dominos will notice a sharp decline in sales with his passing.

The Montreal Canadiens have lost their biggest fan.

A combined celebration of Bob and Joan’s lives will be held in Sundridge this summer.