Robert Gordon Bertuzzi

March 29, 2024

In Loving Memory (1942-2024) ~

Robert Gordon Bertuzzi (Bob to his friends) was born to Italian immigrant parents in Trail, B.C. in 1942.

As a young man, he worked delivering groceries for Super Value Foods (Ferarro's today), saving his money to buy his first drum kit at Sandy's Music across the street. Playing the drums and eventually teaching music would become Bob's lifelong endeavor with one particular highlight being an appearance on Spokane television with his band 'Mel, Bob and George'.

Bob's early adult life would prove difficult as he was not sure of his path. He left high school for a year in the military before graduating from J Lloyd Crow High School in 1964.

He would attend UBC and be a charter member at Selkirk College in 1967 before graduating from UVIC in 1971 with a Bachelor of Education. Through it all the one constant in his life was music. He played in bands at university and his military service was spent traveling with the Canadian Guards band. He also played in Trail's Maple Leaf band for over 50 years, starting as a junior in his teenage years and ending in his 70's.

Bob's next chapter in his life began in 1973 when he started teaching at Twin Rivers Elementary School. He would teach music and English for 30 years with many students going on to pursue music in their lives. Bob received recognition for his work in 1990 with the Award of Excellence from the B.C. Arts in Education Council.

Also, along the way Bob spent his summers back at UVIC pursuing a Masters in Education which he completed in 1978 and an additional Diploma in Fine Arts from the University of Calgary.

Other highlights of Bob's life were his participation in Selkirk College's community music program giving free drum lessons to youth in Trail and Castlegar and as a teacher in the West Kootenay Teachers Education program for 14 years starting in 1993.

Bob's faith was also very important to him over the years and was a member of the Grace Communion International Church.

Bob is predeceased by his brother Richard Bertuzzi, sister Ellena Carew and survived by his brother Tom Bertuzzi of Vernon.

A service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 20th, 2024 at the Sandman Hotel in Castlegar in the Columbia Room.