Obituaries

Robert (Bob) Cojocar, age 86, late of Regina, SK passed away peacefully with family by his side on December 20, 2024 at the Regina Pasqua Hospital.

Bob was born to Mary and Wesley Cojocar on a hot, dry September 1, 1938 at his home on the farm near Truax, Saskatchewan. His father was running the threshing crew for harvest. According to family lore, after giving birth to Bob, Mary got up and cooked supper for the men, assisted by the midwife and neighbour women. Bob’s hard work ethic was ingrained right from the very start.

His early years on the farm were spent with his dogs, bicycles and playing hockey on the frozen dugout with second-hand skates that were too big. After age 12, he would stay home and help with harvest, seeding and picking rocks. When he could drive at age 13, his dad would let him drive to school so he could come home early to pick more rocks. As a teenager, he slept in the attic of the uninsulated three-room farmhouse, and he wore so much Brylcreem in his hair, he would wake up frozen to the wall. Bob told stories about how he and his older sister Doreen had adventures driving a horse and sleigh to school in winter. Bob completed Grade 10 at Maple Slope School, then left in Grade 11 to help on the farm.

Bob moved to Regina in 1957 at the age of 19. He met Dona Alfstad at a party in Regina and they went to the A & W for a root beer for their first date. They were married on June 15, 1963 and celebrated their 6oth wedding anniversary in 2023. They built their new home on McTavish Street in which Bob lived until his passing. At that time, it was a new, young neighbourhood and they made many good and lifelong friends with their children playing, going to school and growing up together. The early years were spent building their family life, raising their sons Blake and Brent and attending the boys’ school and sporting events. The arrival of grandson Tyson was a gift, another boy to love.

Dona and Bob had a rich life with family and friends, travelling to the States and Hawaii and playing golf. Dona loved to bake and Bob was a very good cook and was famous for his ribs. He fixed up his 1935 Chev truck, joined the Antique Auto Association and drove it in parades. He inherited his mother’s green thumb and grew a bountiful garden in the backyard. He was a talented woodworker, refinishing furniture, making clocks, wooden cars and trucks. He was a great storyteller and shared stories of times spent with friends and relatives, parties, playing horseshoes, cards, singing and playing music and enjoying dances at the Kayville town hall.

Bob was an accomplished equipment salesperson. He worked at Bowman Brothers from 1957-1967 and then was employed at Kramer Tractor, retiring in 1999 after 32 years. He was often rewarded for his high sales records. He also continued working at the farm on weekends and holidays until eventually the farm was sold.

Unfortunately, Bob experienced many health issues in his later years, yet he was a daily visitor to Dona at Elmview Special Care Home and he kept up the house, garden and yard. He leaves to mourn his wife, Dona; son Blake of Regina, Saskatchewan; grandson Tyson Acquaviva of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; brother-in-law Allan Ohm of Kelowna, British Columbia; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents Wesley and Mary Cojocar; infant brother Lee; his sister Doreen Ohm; and son Brent Cojocar.

The family thanks Dr. Carmen Johnson and the wonderful nursing staff of the Palliative Care Unit at the Regina Pasqua Hospital for their care and compassion to Bob and family. Also, the family is so grateful for the staff at Elmview Special Care Home, especially Lori, the recreation director for the quality of Dona’s care. Bob always talked about how he was so thankful for all that they did to support her and him through the transition for her new life there.

Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 3510 Queen Street, Regina, Saskatchewan.