Robert died at 88, at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, on May 26 2023. He was peaceful and comfortable at the end, surrounded by his loving wife Maureen and two daughters, Konia (Dawn and son Jordi) and Lycia. He was born in Bangor, Northern Ireland, and immigrated to Vancouver, Canada in 1970 with his young family. As an architect, he held a long position at Public Works Canada, but also designed and completed many home renovations. He and Maureen were life-long swimmers, and married in 1963. In his retirement, he pursued his love of the arts, the outdoors and exercise. He sang in various choirs and produced daily sketches of life around him. He and Maureen travelled the world extensively and settled in Sooke in 2011, joining the walking group and re-discovering his love of cycling. He is predeceased by his parents, Wakefield and Dora Jane. He is survived in the UK by his brother Thomas (Zillah) and their 3 children; Tom Jr (Dorothy and children), David (Sally and daughters) and Samantha (Andy) among other dear relatives. A joyful and easy disposition, he connected well with others from all walks of life and will be sorely missed, particularly at their home at Minton House, Cook Street Village, Victoria. His life’s richly intellectual, cultural and artistic musings were developed into a book entitled A View from Here which was submitted to the publisher on the day of his death. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life was held on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at 2:00 pm, in the Sequoia Centre, McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC.
Condolences to the family may be offered below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
59 Responses
Hi Rob
I still miss you enthusiastically telling me how much you biked on your electric bike while I was working at Minton. I also remember your wife (Maureen’s ) tales about Ireland. Plus your wonderful daughter’s (Lycia) help in general. GOD BLESS THE TROUTAN FAMILY!
Dear Maureen and Lycia,
2023 must have been awful for all of you, missing your wonderful husband and father!
It is devastating, but we all have to go through the terrible, but inescapable fact of life itis to loose the ones we love.
I wish you all the best in your mourning, and hope you will most of all remember the good times you had together. It will take time, I’m afraid.
I still miss Eleanor terribly, and it will soon be five years!
It has always been a privilege for us to have you as our friends for nearly 60 years, even though we have been apart most of the time! It would be fantastic is we could meet somewhere again! You are always welcome here!
Lots of love, Kare
Dear Lycia and Maureen,
Thank you so much for your email. It’s so lovely to hear from you.
I have so many fond memories of both your parents and Zoë and I are both very sad to hear about the passing of your lovely Dad.
He was such a character, always keen to talk about all things Northern Ireland, and with your Mum so hospitable to us both over the years.
Zoë and I were thinking of you recently and your lovely troubles memorial [that your Dad contributed to – http://www.linenmemorial.org – ]. There was an exhibition at the City Hall remembering the troubles. It was so moving and beautifully done.
Hope you both have a good Christmas and great year in 2024.
Lots of love to you both from us both in Belfast,
Phyllis and Zoë xo
Thank you for your kind email Lycia.
I was so very sorry to hear about your father. He was so full of energy and such a great friend to Dad [David] throughout his life.
Jenny Huston, Dublin & siblings: Michael and Wendy Huston, Victoria, BC
Creative Director, Edge Only
http://www.edgeonly.com
Dear Maureen and Lycia, Jul 19, 2023, 3:01 PM
Thank you for the beautiful service. I was able to observe. I shed a few tears remembering the good times: swimming, biking, Pacific Spirit Park near UBC in your Point Grey home (Little Australia), Vancouver. Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. The quartet at the end was beautiful. Hoping I can prove that old statement: “The Luck of the Irish!” someday soon. All my love, Gerry/Geraldine Finegan
In Loving Memory of Robert Trouton Our Dear friend and neighbour, Robert, passed away this morning (May 26, 2023) at 9:40 am at the Royal Jubilee Hospital…Robert insatiably curious about the world around him, noting everything from archeological discoveries to scientific advances to principles of living and how human beings “tick.” He and Maureen travelled extensively, and he enjoyed the learning and the new experiences. He shepherded his daughters through their education in different parts of the world and was proud of their careers. He treasured his bike rides with Konia who travelled from Ontario to be with him. He was grateful that Lycia nearby.
A hallmark of his interaction with the world was the little pad of blank paper always with him, on which he would draw whatever took his eye or his fancy; he recorded his travels in this way and sketched local images such as Cruise Ships at Ogden Point.
He began his career in Architecture in his native Northern Ireland and, in 1970s, when The Troubles began, he moved his family from Belfast to Vancouver. In 1976 he lectured at BCIT and in the 1980s travelled across Canada with the BC/Yukon Architects Group during his career with Public Works, Canada.
There are many of these drawings in his book, A View from Here, which is with the publisher.
Notable Buildings, 2000-year-old horse armour from Siberia, statues, landscapes and principles of colour and geometry are all amongst his illustrations.
Queen Victoria, and several monuments or statues of her, are honoured on our Notice Board and he kindly allowed us to display his portrait of Minton House in the lobby.
Robert was a cheerful, substantial presence at Minton House and we will miss him.
Dan Adams and Edward Davidson Managers and The Strata Board at Minton House
To Maureen and The Trouton Family,
I am so terribly sorry to hear about Bob’s passing… It is with such a heavy heart that I reflect upon this…but it is with Immense gratitude for a “Life Well Lived”…Something I think that Bob did impeccably.
When I think about Bob,- his enormous (somewhat mischievous) smile; always happy – sharing a quick joke, a wink or simply boyish grin. I cannot recall a single conversation with him where he was negative about anything (despite what he might have been feeling/thinking inside) and he always kept the mood light with his infectious yet quiet (and oh so Irish) laugh.
His drawing of Minton House is a masterpiece that will remain forever in the foyer, with pride. He sketched things that he loved, things that caught his eye as important and things that he wanted others to see.
His creativity with his whimsical bulletin board postings at Minton House always made everyone smile…but he never missed the opportunity to provide some ‘educational’ and interesting facts. There was a part of Bob that couldn’t resist the importance of learning (he was never short of fun facts) but he was able to find the balance and uncommon joy in it all too. A rare quality indeed.
Bob was a big man: and I’m not just talking about his height. He had an uncanny ability to embrace an entire room with his presence, yet — oddly — not dominate it. That’s a pretty impressive gift. Soft spoken and not necessarily a man of many words; impactful in the words he chose. When he spoke, you wanted to listen..and if you did, it was often to your benefit as you would undoubtedly learn something if you truly listened…Those lessons would often be: patience, kindness, learning that Life is Art and Art is Life and to take each day as a new adventure and look for something beautiful. Better yet, remember it by either talking about it, drawing it, writing about it but mostly, sharing it with others. He did just that, always.
I will miss him dearly, as will many others and I am truly grateful to have known him. he was a rare breed of man, indeed. A true gentleman. His loyalty and dedication to Maureen and his family undeniably immense.
Although he is no longer here and you wish he was there — just know he is EVERYWHERE around you, always. Sharon
HI Robert,
You had your last dinner at Minton House at my table [ May 22 ]. It was clear that you were concerned, but, being the quiet, reserved and thoughtful Irish gentleman you were, you kept your worries to yourself, you did not want to burden us with them.
And that was you – always so thoughtful, always thinking about others, about how you could brighten up life in Minton House with your great talent.
I am so pleased that you managed to finish your book in time, so that you have left a legacy, but then I think that deep down you knew that your time was up, that your Soul had completed its mission on this Earth and had to move on.
Thank you for everything that you have done for Minton House – and for us. Jennifer
Dear Lycia Thank you so much for inviting my sister Daphne and my self to the Zoom Commemoration and Celebration of your dear Bob’s life
We had heard of the sad news of his death from his former neighbour in Bangor Ann Boyce. Tom and Bob were in their teens when Daphne and I were children but we have happy memories of the two brothers, especially as they made us a sleigh ! Your kind invitation arrived on the day of the funeral but unfortunately we find Zoom difficult to manage, but our thoughts were with you
With deepest sympathy to you and your family circle
Maralyn and Daphne