Obituary of ROBERT (BOB) ROWLANDS BENELL

ROBERT (BOB) ROWLANDS BENELL

November 25, 1918 – March 28, 2018

 Peacefully with family at his side, Bob Benell passed away at the age of 99 years.

He was predeceased by his wife Ruth in 2005 having celebrated 61 years of marriage, and by his son David Benell in 2011.

 He is survived by his sister Gladys Rowlands; his children Ron Benell, Jane (Ed) Griffith, John Benell, Pat Benell (Jean Michel Krief), and Kathy (Mark) Hughes; his grandchildren Mamie Griffith (Tyson Caron), Ben Griffith (Elishka Pek), Angella Griffith (Mike Lodewyks), James Griffith, Josh Benell, Chris Benell, Sarah Benell, Elliott Benell, Jordan Hughes, Kristen (Craig) Enns, Danica Hughes; and his great-grandchildren Gabriel, Sonny James, and Anderson. 

 Bob grew up in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and worked as a carpenter, carpenter foreman, and superintendent building grain elevators until 1941 (including the last elevator at Inglis, Manitoba, now a National Heritage site). During World War II, he served as a Sergeant in the RCAF. He and Ruth Robertson were married in 1944. In 1946 he joined Bird Construction. He was soon promoted to General Superintendent for Manitoba.  He was responsible for overseeing many iconic construction projects in Winnipeg including the original Winnipeg Arena, Monarch Life, Floodway Inlet and Outlet, Planetarium, Convention Centre, Winnipeg Art Gallery, many downtown high rise buildings and numerous other projects throughout Manitoba. He retired in 1978.

 We wish to thank Victoria Hospital staff for their compassionate care of Dad in his final months.  A memorial service is being planned for a later date.