Download 2026 Funeral Price List
Robert William Davidson

This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.

Robert William Davidson

March 18, 1928 - December 16, 2015

Died of his injuries at the age of 87.  Father of Robert Orval Davidson and William Albert Davidson. Loving grandfather of Jeanette, Michael, James and Miranda Starr Davidson and great Grandfather to Matthew Robert Baldock. Predeceased by his first wife Dorothy. Survived by his brother Lloyd and sister Margaret both living in California. Bob grew up on the family farm in Markham, Ontario , attended Danforth Technical College in Toronto and joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1946. He would remain with the Navy, rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer, retiring in 1971. While stationed in Arbrouth Scotland for two years he met and married Dorothy Osborough. That marriage ended in divorce in 1951.  Shortly after the divorce Bob met and married Clara Josephine Parks in Halifax.  At the time of his retirement from the Navy Clara had already launched a successful giftware business in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Bob liked to say he retired for the length of time it took to drive home from CFB Shearwater and change into his “civvies”. Bob helped Clara expand the business, which thrived until the 1990’s. They also bought property on the tiny Caribbean Island of Montserrat where they decided to help set up an adjunct to the University of the Caribbean teaching women how to weave the raw Sea Island Cotton that was grown on the Island. It was during the establishment of this charitable work that Bob and Clara’s marriage broke up.  Bob eventually moved to Florida after re-connecting with his first wife, Dorothy, and for the next twenty years he had a fulfilling job working for the Publix Food Stores in Stuart, Florida. Upon Dorothy’s death in 2000 Bob moved back to Canada, settling in Cobourg, Ontario to be closer to his son, Robert. Bob was an avid automobile enthusiast – he could fix anything with a spark plug. He owned all kinds of cars over his lifetime but without question his favorite was the 1969 Alpha Romeo 1750 sedan in British Racing Green. His favorite recreation on a nice weekend was to drive the car up through the Annapolis Valley, stop for produce and spend a night at the family cottage on Baxter’s Harbour. Eventually Bob acquired a 1947 Triumph Roadster that he restored and turned into his daily driver while living in Jenson Beach, Florida. The car remained with him when he came back to Canada and he and his son, Robert, spent many hours repairing and maintaining the vehicle at Robert’s farm. Bob’s other passion was people – he loved to walk his dog Chico (and later Haley) through the streets near his residence at Palisade Gardens in Cobourg. There were very few gardeners in the neighbourhood who didn’t know who Bob was – he loved to walk up behind them and comment on their lovely flowers or shrubs. Bob also enjoyed the social life in Palisade Gardens, partaking of the afternoon socials and evening entertainments. Walking was another joy – no matter the weather he tried to get out for a kilometer or two four times a day. It was while on his evening walk on the night of December 16 that Bob was struck and killed by a car only a few steps from his front door. Although the doctors and nurses at the Northumberland Hospital trauma unit labored mightily and heroically to revive and save him, his injuries were too great and he succumbed later that night.  Friends are asked to make any donations to the Northumberland Hills Hospital.  Condolences received at www.MacCoubrey.com.  There will be no public memorial services, the family requesting privacy.