Robert Ian Moorhead
June 10, 1932 – March 5, 2023
Born in 1932 in Alsask, SK to Edith and William Moorhead. Brother to Bill Moorhead. Devoted husband to Barbara. Proud Dad to Kim Spitzer (Carl), Jen Wade (Rob), Peter Moorhead (Melissa) and proud Papa to Caroline, Taylor, Ryan, Gwen and Fred. Passed peacefully at Campbell House Hospice on March 5, 2023, at the age of 90 with his family by his side.
He was entrepreneurial from the start, raising chickens as a child to provide extra funds for his family, collecting grain that had spilled off railcars and fudging his age to get a job driving a truck at the local army base. He was driven! Moved from Saskatchewan to Toronto to Goderich. Attended U of Guelph as an Aggie graduating in 1955. After graduation, joined the workforce in chemical sales. His entrepreneurial spirit shone again with the founding of Mursatt. He worked hard over a lifetime to build a successful business which continues on over 50 years later.
He met the love of his life, Barbara on a beach in Jamaica and so ensued a long-term love affair including a 54-year marriage and 60+ year courtship. They quietly shared many life lessons for kids and grandkids in sacrifice, acceptance and supporting one another. In later years that included Dad cooking dinner (allowing Mom to retire after 50 years of same), Mom reading to dad nightly, and lots of good night kisses, joint love of the Jays, tennis and golf.
What defined him was not his professional success but rather his genuine interest in others, his kindness and generosity, while being frugal with himself. To see the good in every person. To not pass judgment. To support his kids and grands and celebrate them at every turn. To enjoy the company of good friends… and good friends he had in spades. His glass was always half full.
A gentleman with a great sense of humour and man of many talents. Lover of sport and music. Skied and golfed worldwide. Bought Jays season tickets from the time they started at Exhibition Stadium. Lover of jazz, attending concerts of many of the greats live. Avid gardener, on full display each season at his home. Cognitively bright and full of wit, he challenged us all the way through, discussing necessary stock trades, real estate and politics into his last days of life.
Dad you’ve left your mark. You were one of the good ones. You’ve made all who were blessed to know you a better person. And you’ve paved a path for us each to continue to make a difference in this world.
With our thanks to Dr. Bryan Marshall, the nurses at Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Dialysis unit, and the entire staff at Campbell House Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bob’s name to either of these incredible organizations https://cgmhf.com/donate or https://hospicegeorgiantriangle.com/donate
A celebration of life will be planned for June when the gardens are in bloom!