July 11, 1956 - May 8, 2024

With great sorrow we announce the passing of Robert William Houston, known to his friends and family as Bob (and to his grandkids as "GrandBob"), who went peacefully surrounded by loving family at Lakeridge Health Port Perry, on Wednesday the 8th of May 2024 at the age of 67, following a brief battle with cancer.

Born in Oshawa, Ontario on 11th July 1956 to Ralph Gordon and Ann Marie Houston, Bob grew up in Oshawa alongside his sisters Barb and Teresa.

In 1977, he met the love of his life, Karen Greentree, and they were married three years later. In 1981, the two moved to Pembroke, Ontario for work, where they welcomed their sons Brian and Craig into the world. In 1985, the young family moved back to Oshawa where Bob was employed at General Motors.

Following a personal injury, he retrained in computer programming and graduated from Durham College in 1998. Bob subsequently enjoyed a fulfilling IT career while employed in the Greater Toronto Area, first at Star Data Systems and later at CGI Group, until he retired in 2021.

Bob and Karen fulfilled their lifelong dream when they purchased a farm near Port Perry in 2012. Since then, they have worked together to transform their property into their own personal haven in the countryside. As lifelong animal lovers, many beloved pets enriched their lives over the years, including most recently their horses Neo, Bailey and Cooper, dogs Jade and Kitness, and cats Sterling and Magic.

In recent years, life was good, between peaceful nights on the farm, time spent with loving family, as many rounds of golf as Bob could fit in, and plenty of home projects and renovations to keep him busy.

Bob was extremely proud of his sons and the work they did. His older son Brian served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 2008-2022, and his younger son Craig has worked as a Registered Practical Nurse since 2008.

Sadly, like so many Toronto Maple Leafs fans, Bob was ultimately left wanting of another crack at the Cup. But as he would always say, "There's always next year..."

Although he could sometimes seem reserved, all of Bob's close friends and family knew what a caring, witty and wise soul he was, always ready with a joke or a helping hand. He will be forever missed and fondly remembered by those whose lives he made brighter.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Karen; his sons, Brian and Craig (Erin); his grandchildren Everett and Adelaide; his sisters Barbara (Tony) Czaplinski and Teresa Zamejc; his nephews Greg (Katie), Michael and Chris (Andrea) Czaplinski; nephews Brent (Lisa) and Trevor (Shannon) Greentree, and niece Jennifer (Brad) Greentree-Wornstaff; nephew Christopher (Rachel) Greentree and niece Kelsea (Anthony) Greentree.

He is also survived by his father-in-law Neilson Greentree.

Bob is predeceased by his parents Ralph Gordon and Ann Marie Houston; his mother-in-law Anna-Marie Greentree; and his brothers-in-law Brian Zamejc and Brent Greentree.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Lakeridge Health Port Perry for their care, professionalism and support during this difficult time.

As per Bob's wishes, there will be no service. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to be determined by Bob's family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any who wish to do so, please make a donation to a charity or worthy cause of your choice.

Funeral Arrangements entrusted to THORNTON FUNERAL CENTRE (1200 Thornton Road North, Oshawa, 905-579-6787).