Obituary for Robert (Bob) Joseph Henri Lajoie
It is with great sadness that the family of Bob Lajoie announces his unexpected passing at the age of 71.
Bob was born in Saint-Eleuthere, Quebec but moved to British Columbia when he was two years old. He grew up in Coquitlam, graduating from Centennial High School as part of their first graduating class in 1967.
He continued his education at Simon Fraser University and then BCIT, where he earned a Diploma in Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife Management. Bob then worked in Kitimat, BC as a Conservation Officer for the Federal Government. After a couple of years in the field, Bob returned to SFU to continue his studies, earning a Bachelor of General Studies.
Bob had great variety in his career. After his work with Federal Fisheries, Bob joined the Knowledge Network. Through this work, he became very interested in the process of supporting Educational Programs around the world. Bob travelled to China, Russia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, India and Indonesia to help local governments set up educational programs and establish procedures for opening new schools.
After travelling the world for a number of years, Bob worked for the Open Learning Agency (now known as Thompson Rivers University); Vancouver Community College as the Marketing Manager; Pattison Education Group as the Marketing Director; and Vancouver Career College, Coquitlam Campus, as Principal.
Bob subsequently joined the staff of School District #43 and as Marketing Manager of International Education, worked hard to help make SD43 one of the most successful International Education Programs in Canada. He was also one of the founders and the Vice-Principal of the Confucius Institute (now the Chinese Language and Culture Institute in Coquitlam). Their goal is to strengthen multicultural relationships between China and Canada and to promote cultural and educational exchanges.
Bob enjoyed sports and recreation. His first love was tennis. He enjoyed many hours of practice and play with the Coquitlam Tennis Club and at the Blue Mountain Racquet Club. He also enjoyed cycling and fishing. Two of his favourite holiday experiences were fishing at Loon Lake and numerous trips to Hawaii, with friends and family.
Bob was pre-deceased by his parents Joseph Yvonnick (aka Roy) and Martha Irene (Newbold) and is survived by his wife Jean, son Jeffrey, sister Gesele, and brother Mike (Maureen) and numerous relatives in Quebec. Seeing Jeffrey grow and mature into a fine young man was one of Bob’s greatest joys.
A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held when Public Health restrictions allow. Please email mlajoiefamily@gmail.com if you wish to be contacted with the event details.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bob Lajoie Memorial Fund at sd43foundation.org
Bob was born in Saint-Eleuthere, Quebec but moved to British Columbia when he was two years old. He grew up in Coquitlam, graduating from Centennial High School as part of their first graduating class in 1967.
He continued his education at Simon Fraser University and then BCIT, where he earned a Diploma in Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife Management. Bob then worked in Kitimat, BC as a Conservation Officer for the Federal Government. After a couple of years in the field, Bob returned to SFU to continue his studies, earning a Bachelor of General Studies.
Bob had great variety in his career. After his work with Federal Fisheries, Bob joined the Knowledge Network. Through this work, he became very interested in the process of supporting Educational Programs around the world. Bob travelled to China, Russia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, India and Indonesia to help local governments set up educational programs and establish procedures for opening new schools.
After travelling the world for a number of years, Bob worked for the Open Learning Agency (now known as Thompson Rivers University); Vancouver Community College as the Marketing Manager; Pattison Education Group as the Marketing Director; and Vancouver Career College, Coquitlam Campus, as Principal.
Bob subsequently joined the staff of School District #43 and as Marketing Manager of International Education, worked hard to help make SD43 one of the most successful International Education Programs in Canada. He was also one of the founders and the Vice-Principal of the Confucius Institute (now the Chinese Language and Culture Institute in Coquitlam). Their goal is to strengthen multicultural relationships between China and Canada and to promote cultural and educational exchanges.
Bob enjoyed sports and recreation. His first love was tennis. He enjoyed many hours of practice and play with the Coquitlam Tennis Club and at the Blue Mountain Racquet Club. He also enjoyed cycling and fishing. Two of his favourite holiday experiences were fishing at Loon Lake and numerous trips to Hawaii, with friends and family.
Bob was pre-deceased by his parents Joseph Yvonnick (aka Roy) and Martha Irene (Newbold) and is survived by his wife Jean, son Jeffrey, sister Gesele, and brother Mike (Maureen) and numerous relatives in Quebec. Seeing Jeffrey grow and mature into a fine young man was one of Bob’s greatest joys.
A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held when Public Health restrictions allow. Please email mlajoiefamily@gmail.com if you wish to be contacted with the event details.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bob Lajoie Memorial Fund at sd43foundation.org