April 22, 1935 – June 4, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Robert “Bob” Russell Tinsley died on June 4, 2024.

Bob was born on April 22, 1935 in Belfast, N. Ireland. There he met and fell in love with his wife and lifelong dance partner, Hazel. At the young age of 22, Bob took a daring leap that would change the course of his young family’s life and immigrated to Canada.

In 1959, he started work at Alcan and moved his family to Kitimat, BC. There he and Hazel raised 5 children and helped raise their first 6 grandchildren. During that time, Bob was an active member of the community, the Legion Dart League and was also a drummer in the Kitimat Pipe Band. He eventually ended his career with Alcan in the metallurgy lab.

In 1981 he made another daring leap when he and Hazel moved to Osoyoos to start the next chapter of their lives as motel and marina owners. This move left a vacuum that would soon pull his adult children to follow him– once again changing their lives for the better. It was in Osoyoos that Bob eventually retired but was still kept very busy as his many friends and numerous extended family gravitated to his kind-hearted and gentle soul.

This was a man who just got better with age.

A dedicated husband to Hazel.

A remarkable father to Lynne, Ron, Pat, Robert and Jack.

A tremendous grandfather to Natasha, Lee & James (Lynne); Seanna (Ron); Arne, Robert, & Matthew (Pat); Toni & Joey (Robert); and Andrea & Angelito (Jack)

And a wonderful great grandfather to 10 and great great grandfather to 6.

Bob was predeceased by his son Ron Tinsley. He is survived by his cherished friend Hazel, daughter Lynne Tinsley (Walter), daughter Pat Burnip (Arne), son Rob Tinsley Jr. (Donna), and son Jack Tinsley (Adela).

Whether it was impressing everyone with his fancy footwork while jiving with Hazel, listening to a wide range of music, singing and playing guitar at parties, or just singing around campfires with the family – Music played a huge part throughout Bob’s life. His most profound legacy is that his blood runs through the instruments of multiple generations and his song is in each of our souls.

Bob Tinsley was highly respected by all who met him and deeply loved by his entire family. His song will be sorely missed by us all.