1926 ~ 2021
After a long and courageous battle with chronic kidney disease, Robert Greenwood Briercliffe, aged 94 years, went home to be with his Lord on Friday, March 5, 2021. He passed away at the Pinawa Hospital with his immediate family present, surrounded and sustained by their love. A private family service of remembrance is planned with Christian burial to follow at Pinawa Cemetery. Reverend Robert Murray will officiate the committal. Robert leaves to mourn his beloved wife Phyllis of 65 years, daughter Beryl (Blair) Peters; son Robert (Cheryl) Briercliffe; grandchildren Brock Peters, Winston Briercliffe, Merridy Peters, Spencer Briercliffe, Kerensa Peters, and Eagan Peters; and extended family and friends.
Robert was born in 1926 in his grandparents’ home on Greenwood Place, a street in Winnipeg named after his grandfather. His early years were spent on the family farm in Millbrook with his parents Vernon and Emma (Jackson), his brother, Bill, and numerous goats, chickens and bees. The Briercliffe Farm was well-known in the community for local barn dances, baseball games, a community skating rink, social events, and more. Robert enjoyed sharing entertaining stories of his early farm life.
Robert’s love for aviation emerged in his early years and he treasured his Jimmie Allen Trophy for flying model airplanes. Robert was a master story-teller who enjoyed telling hair-raising anecdotes of flying light aircraft and buzzing his neighbor’s fields so low, he’d “take the hats off their heads.” His love of aviation continued throughout his life. Family and friends have special memories of Robert’s 90th birthday held at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, where he regaled the audience with stories and his famous yodeling.
Following life on the farm, Robert joined the Canadian Army Cadets when he moved to Winnipeg for school, leading to a fifteen-year career with the Canadian Army Reserve where he rose to Sergeant Major. He was proud of his “Canadian Forces’ Decoration” (CD). It was during this period that he met the love of his life, Phyllis Anderson. They started off life in Charleswood and settled in Pinawa, where Robert and Phyllis have lived for 54 years. During this time, Robert’s wife, children and grandchildren were his focus and great joy. He loved nothing better than being with his six grandchildren doing puzzles, playing board games, catching snakes and frogs, carving toys, and telling jokes and stories. Nothing made him happier than attending any school, music, or sports event that his grandchildren participated in.
Robert and Phyllis were long-standing members of the Pinawa Christian Fellowship (PCF). Robert was very proud of the PCF belief in a shared ecumenical ministry and said he wished the world could model the approach of four diverse denominations living and working together. Robert’s faith strengthened and supported him throughout his entire life; he was a beloved and inspiring model of selfless Christian servant leadership.
Robert and Phyllis enjoyed travelling all over the world throughout their 65-year marriage, RV’ing from the Yukon to Mexico with friends and members of the Good Sam Club. Grandchildren have special memories of Gran and Poppa arriving to visit in their RV and picnicking with them at Otter Falls.
Music was a special joy in Robert and Phyllis’ life. Robert enjoyed a wide range of music genres from country-western to classical opera. He loved hearing his grandchildren sing and perform various music instruments. Even in the last few days of his life, Robert drew comfort from music and sang from his hospital bed, “There’s No Place Like Home.”
The family is enormously grateful to Dr. Sayfee and the staff of the Pinawa Hospital for their exceptional and outstanding care of our cherished husband, father and grandfather. Robert passed from this world to the next, confident that his Lord was waiting to receive him in ever-lasting life, reassuring his family, “I’ll always be there with you.” We love you Robert, Dad, our forever Poppa.
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Dennis & Rosalie Lofstrom
Our deepest condolences to the family, I worked with Bob for many years in Stores, especially his “Marginally Noted” notes on green memo paper, that he sent in the interoffice mail. If we didn’t follow up on the notes, as quickly as he thought we should, he would send it again, making sure we didn’t miss what he wanted us to do. May Bob rest in peace, and free of pain. Rosalie & Dennis
Gary Hanna
Our sincere condolences to Phyliss and family on the passing of Bob. Bob was a true country Gentleman.
God bless all!
Gary & Kathy Hanna
Randy Mamrocha
Worked many years with Bob@ Atomic Energy. From working out of his beloved bldg. 100 tool crib to his major work place change working in shipping receiving in building 408. He was very methodical in what he did and always did things by the book. Condolences to the family and Rest In Peace Bob.
BUD BIDDISCOMBE
WHEN WE FIRST CAME TO PINAWA, BOB WAS PART OF OUR CAR POOL TO THE PLANT. HE ALWAYS WAS A VERY FRIENDLY PERSON AND MADE THE TRIP TO WORK VERY INTERESTING. HE WILL BE SORELY MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM.
N. Peter and Shirley Cliche
Please accept our sincere condolences. I had the wonderful experience of interacting with Bob for a number of years through work at WNRE and also through his volunteering with the Pinawa Fire Department. He always had his note book with him for every training session. Bob was a kind helpful person who had a great impact on everyone.
Our prayers go out for all the family.
Peter and Shirley Cliche
Bev Dougall
My sincere condolences to Phyllis and family. It’s nice to have so many remembrances of a very fine man.
Judy Farr
Condolences to Phyllis and family
Laurie MacLean
So very sorry to hear of Mr. Briercliffe’s passing. My deepest condolences to Mrs. Briercliffe, Beryl, Bob and families.
Sheryl MacDonald
So very sorry to hear of Uncle Robert’s passing. My condolences to Aunty Phyllis, Beryl and Bob and their families. I have fond memories of visits to your home in Pinawa. Thinking of you and hoping you are finding comfort in all the wonderful memories. Sending hugs!
Pam
My sincerest warm thoughts to Mrs B, Beryl and Robert. If I had one word to describe him, it would be kind.
Pam
Ray Nicolson
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and
Phyllis .
Ray and Joyce Nicolson
Kama Woods
Condolences to Aunty Phyllis and family. Thinking of you with love.
Kama and Allen Woods
Helen Henderson
Aunty Phyllis and family, sending our heartfelt love and prayers to get you through this time of loss. I know that Uncle was greeted in heaven with loving arms by all who have gone ahead of him. Know that he will always be with you in your hearts, watching over you.
Kimberly MacKinnon
I am so very sorry Auntie Phyllis for the heartfelt sorrow I know you must be experiencing at this time. I have just seen today that Uncle Robert passed away on March 5th and I am so saddened by this news. (Were Mom still of sound heath and mind, I’m sure I would have known much earlier such that I could have extended my sympathies sooner… my apologies for the passage in time).
Please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your beloved husband. I’m sending my love across the miles along with a huge hug and will be holding you close in my heart, together with fondest memories of Uncle Robert, whom I remember well as the epitome of kindness and gentleness.
Beryl and Bob my deepest sympathies for the loss of your beloved father and all that his early presence brought to you and your family. He was truly a gift to all who knew him. Know that I’ll be thinking of you both in the coming months and remembering happier times. Please extend my comdolences as well to Winston, Spencer, Brock, Merridy, Kerensa and Egan for the loss of their beloved Poppa. My heart goes out to each and every one of you.
Much love to all, Kim xxoo