May 25, 1932 - January 18, 2019
Robert Pollock McCarthy, 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday January 6, 2019 at his home in Mountainside Village in Fruitvale.
Bob will be lovingly remembered by his beloved wife and best friend of 65 years, Margaret, their daughter Elaine (Dave) Burke and son Mat (Andrea). He will be greatly missed by his four grandchildren; Aron (Liz) Burke, Marlise (Matt) Swankhuizen, Whitney (Jeff) Robinson and Kristin McCarthy (Phil Baldini) and his six cherished great-grandchildren; Emma, Abby, Hudson, Zoe, Avery and Rowan.
Bob was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland where at a young age he discovered his passion for soccer. At the age of 18, he was drafted by Portsmouth F.C. English first division, becoming one of the youngest professional soccer players in Britain at that time. While playing professional soccer, Bob met and fell in love with Margaret Hopkins and the two were married in 1953. Despite his talent as a soccer player, Bob hung up his cleats to pursue his apprenticeship as a machinist, and subsequently serve his country in the Scottish National Guard. In 1954, Bob and Margaret welcomed their daughter Elaine, and 13 months later their son, Mat. Bob, being a dedicated family man, was always pursuing a better life for his family, so in 1958 Bob, Marg and the kids headed to South Africa so he could work in the diamond mines. After four adventurous years they relocated to Zambia, and finally, after a brief homecoming to Glasgow, the family made the move to Trail in 1966 where Bob worked as a machinist and maintenance foreman in the smelter at Cominco.
Bob quickly fell in love with the Kootenays (once he embraced the snow) and soon combined his dedication to his new home with his love of sport, and helped to found minor soccer in Trail. He also went on to coach Selkirk College's soccer club to a championship in only their second year in existence. When he was not busy being an amazing husband, father, grandparent, great grandparent, coach, and friend, Bob loved to travel, and over the years he and Margaret journeyed across Canada and much of the United States as well as Mexico, Jamaica, Spain, and back to Scotland. Throughout all their adventures, they were accompanied by their constant companions and best friends, Josie and Dick Mallinson. Along with his passions for soccer and travelling Bob also loved camping, curling, cheering on the Trail Smoke Eaters and most of all spending time surrounded by the love and laughter of family and all the friends he made along the way - he loved any excuse for a party.
Bob will always be remembered as a caring, generous, hard-working man who would always welcome you into his home with a smile, a drink, a great story and tons of laughs. Bob loved life and enjoyed all it had to offer to the fullest.
In lieu of funeral services, and to honor Bob's wishes, donations can be made to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Health Foundation. Personal messages of condolences can be left online by visiting the family's register at www.myalternatives.ca.
Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services