Obituary of Robert Clinton Bignell

BIGNELL: Robert Clinton Bignell (Nabess) passed away peacefully at the Brandon Regional Health Centre with his wife Judy, all his children, and family by his side. He is survived by his wife Judy, daughters Marilyn (Ken), Melody (Davin), sons Clint (Lorena), Kevin (Robyn), Carl (Sheena), Clayton (Carla), Conrad (Leanne), brothers Ernie (Marie), Randy (Lorna), Fred, Charles, Don (Donna), Bert (Liz), Tony (Isabel), Albert, Wayne (Bernice), Cyril (Freda), sisters Rene, Velvet (Alex), Gladys (Bill), Lillian, Louise (Gary), Shelly, Gail, brother-in-law Ron (Elsie), sisters-in-law Dorothy and Beverly. He will be deeply missed by his 32 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and all his extended family and friends. Robert enjoyed playing music and made this a major part of his life and instilled this love for music in his children, grandchildren and everyone he spent time with. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and would spend hours and hours sitting by the bridge in Cormorant catching fish which he mostly gave away to family. Robert was born in The Pas, Manitoba on March 3, 1947. During his life he lived in Thicket Portage, Cormorant, The Pas, Dauphin, and Winnipeg and spent the last 13 years in Brandon. During this time he made friends with numerous people and shared his talents with everyone who spent time with him. In January 2012, Robert was diagnosed with stage four cancer and was determined to fight to stay as long as he could for his family. He took this fight to cancer for over a year and a half before he ultimately succumbed to this illness. The family would like to thank the staff at the palliative care unit at the Brandon Assiniboine Centre for the care and compassion they showed Robert. Also thank you to everyone who supported the family during Robert's time at the hospital. Prayers were held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel on Monday, September 9, 2013 and a Traditional Wake followed at the Ukrainian Reading Hall. Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 with Fr. Kevin Smith as Celebrant. Interment followed at the Brandon Cemetery. Pall bearers were Cory Nabess, Charles Constant, Scott Nabess, Clint Nabess Jr., Carl Nabess Jr., Brandon Nabess and Robert Nabess. Donations in memory of Robert may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415-1st Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 2W8.