Obituary of Robert Alexander Tumilty
It is with deep sadness and profound sense of loss that the family of Robert "Bob" Alexander (Gillis) Tumilty announces his passing on November 29th, 2023. Bob was born in Glace Bay on March 21, 1941, to the late Alexander and Margarette (MacLellan) Gillis. He was predeceased by his adoptive parents Robert and Helen (Gillis) Tumilty and his sister Delores (Gillis, Tumilty) Romans.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 59 years, Karen (Redden); three sons, Joseph (Janice), Peter (Svetlana), and Stephen (Rebecca); six grandchildren, Alexandra (Matt), Ashton, Damian, Katherine, Seth and Abigail, and two great grandchildren, Oliver and Addison.
Bob and Karen moved to Annapolis Royal in the fall of 1964 and have called it home ever since. Bob taught math and economics at the Annapolis Royal Regional Academy (ARRA) and the Annapolis West Education Centre (AWEC) until he retired in 1995. Besides teaching, he was actively involved in the chess club, and assisted with the badminton and softball teams at the junior and senior levels.
Outside of the classroom Bob enjoyed curling, tennis and golf, but his greatest love was for contract bridge. His passion for the game took him all over the Maritimes and the Northeastern US, and he and his partner were a pair to be reckoned with in every tournament.
Bob also believed in public service to our community, serving on town council, the Annapolis Health Foundation, and after retirement served many terms as the school board representative for this area. A devout Catholic, Bob volunteered at the St Louis Catholic Church in a variety of capacities, including Eucharistic Minister, Parish council, bookkeeper, and helped out wherever he could. He was awarded the Diocesan Medallion of Merit for his many years of service to the church.
Visitation will be held 6-8 pm Sunday, December 3, in the Kaulbach Family Funeral Home, Annapolis Royal. A funeral service will be held 2:00 pm, Monday December 4, 2023, in St. Louis Catholic Church, Annapolis Royal. Father Raymond Odumuko officiating. Burial will follow in St. Louis Catholic Cemetery, Annapolis Royal. Donations in Bob’s memory and in lieu of flowers may be made to the local foodbank. On line condolences may be made at www.kaulbachfamilyfuneralhome.com