As I mentioned a couple of months back in my blog titled A Year Ago, our former neighbor Bob was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Even though they had sold their home back in December, it seemed Bob’s intuition was correct- he would die in that house.

My wife received the phone call from his wife yesterday informing us of the loss of Bob. He passed away at the start of the weekend. I am truly heartbroken by this news even though I knew it was coming. Bob was like family. When you hear the term “Mighty Neighborly” that was him.

He was always there to lend a hand when needed. There was never a time that we didn’t appreciate his assistance around our old neighborhood. He would take his small tractor out in winter and help clear the roads and driveways. When a bad storm would pass through he was there to help clean up the carnage.

Many a day we would stop and chat. He shared with me numerous stories about the neighborhood and the families that lived there. He wasn’t a nosy neighbor, but rather the type that observed his surroundings. They were like an extra set of grandparents for our children while they grew up in that area.

Bob knew he would die in that house. I think he was a bit heartbroken to have sold it when he found out he had a few months left to live. But he was doing what was best for his wife. He always put others first. He was a great man and will be missed. Thank you Bob for being there for us all.