Robert John Lindal

Our hearts are broken, our lives have changed forever and our world is shattered, as we sadly announce the passing of Robert Lindal, a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law and friend to so many. His life ended where it began, in Royal Jubilee Hospital after a brief health issue.

Predeceased by his parents, brother Bruce Lindal and sister  Barbara Falck, step-father Jack Barnes, brothers-in-law Dwight  Smith and Al Falck, he is survived by his wife of almost 70 years,  Edna Lindal (Levert), children Teri Cotton-Diplock, (son-in-law  Randy Diplock, Mia and family) Cindi Story, Gerry Lindal (Dianne  Johnston and family), grandchildren Dustin Lindal-Story, Kyle  Cotton (Cynthia Barco), Chad Cotton, Blair Cotton, Travis Cotton  (Nicole Lessard and family), Breanne Cotton (Jackson DeKock),  Brent Story (Alannah Henderson), Chevaun Story (Jill Cooper),  Missy Story, and Brandon Story (Dominique Story). Also, great grandchildren Marciano, Chiara, Lucas, Natalia, Damian, Vivian, McKinley, Sage and baby boy Story due any day, and by many other family members.

Our Dad always wanted a big family and his wish was fulfilled, and the family tree will continue to grow, which would have made him so happy.

Born to Joseph and Jean Lindal at Jubilee hospital, he lived his whole life in Victoria. He went to a number of different schools and graduated from Victoria High in 1949. He worked at many different jobs as he grew up, from paperboy, to wood truck delivery driver, to working in different small businesses stocking shelves or doing whatever a company needed. In the 60’s he also worked at his brother’s business at Shrubland.

In 1952 he joined the Department of National Defence Fire Department (also known as Dockyard) which started his career in firefighting. He then made the move to the Saanich Fire Department in 1965, where he retired as a Captain in 1990. He loved being a firefighter and, since his nature was to help people, it fit in well with his values and beliefs of giving back to the community.

Robert (or Bob as he was known to most) met Edna in 1952 and they married in 1954 and started their family in 1955. They lived in downtown Victoria across from Memorial Arena, until they decided to move to Esquimalt in 1965. They wanted to be closer to the Fire Department where Bob worked, but, then Bob decided to go to work for the Saanich Fire Department instead.  The new family home was right across from the Esquimalt Plaza and the arena.

He really enjoyed his new neighbourhood and became a pillar of the Esquimalt Community. In 1972 he decided to build an apartment building, where the family home was and they named it the Royal Esquimalt apartments. He also bought the apartment next door to their new apartment building, where the Renaissance is situated today. His other ventures, led him to move a house to a lot on Lyall St to live in, and then he moved the house from downtown, to another Esquimalt location where he resided with Edna for over 40 years. Ownership of his properties changed many years ago, but his love of Esquimalt never did. He remained living in the community, until he went into the Gorge Hospital.

Bob always loved living close to arenas! He wanted all of his kids to be involved in sports, so together Bob and Edna put their children in all the sports available in Esquimalt, from hockey, to figure skating, speedskating, baseball, lacrosse, tennis, basketball, soccer and more. Bob coached many of these sports, (or refereed, or was the umpire or the school sports day co-ordinator, or the president of the association, etc), but his greatest legacy will be his love of hockey and his creation of the Lower Vancouver Island Girls Ice-Hockey Association, so girls could play hockey, too.

“RJ” as he was known at the Gorge Rd Hospital Bridgeview Unit would have wanted us, to thank the staff there, for their care for the last year and a half, as he was waiting for long term care.  He had a few health issues, but his mind was still sharp and his sense of humour never faded. He looked to the Gorge as his 2nd home and made friends with the residents there, as well as the staff. He watched the Canuck games in the TV room, as much as he could and some of the staff knowing how much he loved his

hockey, made sure they put the game on for him, if he or his grandson, who went every night to watch the games with him, didn’t get there in time to put the channel on before game time. The night before he passed, he had many of the family in his hospital room and everyone watched the Canucks vs Montreal Canadians game with him, which was even more special, as these were his two favourite teams.

RJ spent eleven days in the Jubilee and was never left alone, even overnight, as the family never wanted to leave his side.  This is a testament to the person he was – kind and generous and a truly wonderful man. Two of his grandsons were with him, holding his hand, playing his favourite songs, when he unexpectedly slipped away.

He will be missed by all the family, friends, and others who knew him.

The family would also like to thank the staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital for their care and compassion. You made a difference, at first as we worried about dad, then in our grief.

A Memorial Service was held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Dr., Victoria, BC on Saturday April 20, 2024 at 2:00pm with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Capital Region Female Minor Hockey Association (CRFMHA) or to the Fire Department Charity of your choice.

To view the service, please click the video below:

Condolences can be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com