WELL KNOWN FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND HONORARY FIRE CHIEF PASSES AWAY
It is with great sadness that the family of Robert Allan Corkum, 70, of Bridgewater announces his passing surrounded by his family on Friday, February 27, 2015 at South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater. Born in Bridgewater, he was a son of the late Lloyd and Lillian (Jenkins) Corkum. Bob grew up in LaHave and moved to Bridgewater in 1965. He went to work as a part-time employee at Wamback's Memorial Chapel. After illness forced the owner to retire he went on to become a full-time employee. Nineteen years later, on the closing of Wamback's Memorial Chapel, Bob decided to start a funeral service of his own. He received his professional licenses and opened the R. A. Corkum Funeral Home Ltd in 1984. He has served many families and made many friends during his 31 years in the profession. Active within his community, Bob’s 40 years serving as a fireman began at an early age with the LaHave Fire Department. He joined the Bridgewater Fire Department on September 9th, 1968 where he served as Lieutenant and Captain of Engine 4. In later years Bob served as Deputy Chief and was Fire Chief from 1992 until 1998. He was a member of the Fire Department Softball team and participated in the Fire Dept. bed race team. He took an active roll in the mutual aid parades and seldom missed an Armistice Day Parade. He was a member of the Nova Scotia Fire Chiefs Association, the South Shore Mutual Aid Association, Funeral Service Association of Nova Scotia, Funeral Service Association of Canada and an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgewater. Bob’s genuine service to the community will long be remembered and cherished as a blessing to many. He was a man who knew how to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and treasured the gift of his family. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who supported and took an active interest in their endeavors. He has left a wonderful legacy in the lives of all who knew him and he will be greatly missed. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, the former Karen Bolivar and his daughters, Annette (Andy) MacKay, Lawrencetown, Halifax County and Krista, Bridgewater; grandchildren, Brandon, Shayne, Mackenzie and Katelyn; sister, Gwen (Grant) Wile, Bridgewater; brother Graham (Mary Lou), Pleasantville; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Gerald. Friends are invited to share their memories of Bob with his family during visitation on Wednesday, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the R. A. Corkum Funeral Home, Wileville. Funeral Service to celebrate Bob's life will be held Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Bridgewater, Pastor Paul Jensen officiating, assisted by Rev. Willis Ott. Private Interment will follow at the Dayspring Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorial donations in Bob's memory to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, or to Senior Wheels Association, Bridgewater. On-line condolences may be made by visiting www.corkumfuneralhome.ca