HEBB

95, North Queens Nursing Home, formerly of Wileville, Lunenburg County, passed peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

Bobby was born September 26, 1930, in Wileville, to parents George and Myrtle Hebb. He is survived by his five children, Debbie, Bridgewater; David (Judy), Wileville; Stephen (Joan); Wileville; Kelly (David), Wileville; Chris (Pam), Wileville; grandchildren, BJ (Corey), Matt, Jenna (Justin), Aaron (Morgan), Megan, Jay, Jeremy, Lydia and Levi; great grandchildren, Jax, Jovi, Landen, Kayden, Everleigh, Wyatt and Georgia. Bobby is also survived by sister, Margaret, Windsor, Ontario. Bobby was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Mildred Frances Hebb, his parents George and Myrtle Hebb, brothers Billie and Joe, and sister Glenda.

Being born into the life of the Oak Hill Farm family, much of his life became shaped around events that he grew up experiencing as a youngster. From a very young age, he learned the ways of the farm including caring for livestock, working on the land and in the forest. I think Bobby must have been born with a smile on his face because that is how many reading this will remember him. He connected easily with people as he took the time to pause and hear their stories. This is a “small” snapshot of his own.

At the age of 17, Bob ventured away from the farm, via train, to Hamilton, Ontario with a friend in search of adventure and work. For a few months, they worked unloading boats on the Great Lakes and also worked at a service station operating a jackhammer. In 1951, he set out again, this time driving with a friend to Brantford where they found work at a factory doing assembly line work making combines.

During his teenage years, Bobby would meet Mildred, his soulmate and the love of his life. Dad spoke fondly of times spent with friends going to the movies and skating on the lake. Pushing Mom on her skates up and down the lake was a frequent occurrence, as they lived at opposite ends of Wiles Lake. In 1954, they had a spring wedding on Mildred’s birthday, which was the beginning of their 67 years together as husband and wife. They moved right into their new home on the Levi Hebb Road and that is where Bobby and Mildred spent most of their 67 years of marriage. They were blessed with five children. As children, we were part of almost everything he did on the farm, and we learned quickly by watching and doing. Dad believed in the value of a hard day’s work.

In 1958, Bob started driving the mail to homes and local post offices including Baker Settlement, Newcombville, and East Clifford. For eight years, he enjoyed meeting so many members of these communities as waiting for their mail to arrive was such an important part of each day.

Bobby and his brother Billie, their families as well as their parents, worked the farm together for many years. Bob loved the gardening part of the farm life, including managing an orchard of apple, pear, plum and a few peach trees. His hoe was never idle as he spent many hours getting rid of those pesky weeds in his vegetable gardens. The family was well nourished from all of the greens, tomatoes, beans, carrots, turnip, cucumbers, beets, broccoli, squash and more that adorned our plates on a daily basis. Dad did save the very best of his crops for his customers and the ones with the blemishes were given to Mom to work her magic. During the growing season, Bob was up with the birds. After the sun went down, it was time for him to rest. He was happy drinking in the fresh air and getting his hands dirty. Bob delighted in having a dip in the lake before dinner and supper to get revitalized before the next round of chores.

Quality and presentation of his farm produce meant a lot to Bob. Local hotels and grocery stores were his main purchasers for many years. Bob also cherished those many days when he would go door to door in so many local communities peddling his goods. Sometimes he had the help of a sibling, friend or some of his children, but many a time it was just him and the road. He met many people through the years that still remember visits from the apple pedlar in the “good ol’ days.” He formed friendships that would last a lifetime. Bob also took many of his goods to the local Saturday morning markets in town. Finally, in 1985 his dream of having a central location where customers would come to him became a reality when Bob and the Boys Farm Market was born. He put his heart and soul into this business, and it grew into a regular pit stop for many travellers and a reliable source of fresh produce and more for the locals.

Mom and Dad made a good life for themselves, and for us, doing their best to teach us the values of hard work, love and respect for each other, and for the natural world. During the winter months, Dad loved spending time in the forest. He cut all of his own firewood, He harvested pulpwood, and logs that were made into lumber by local sawmills. Some of this lumber was used for construction of farm buildings and home use. We always had a Christmas tree that he cut and brought home. As kids, we often went with him to help pick it out. Indeed, he enjoyed time spent just walking in the woods on his own land or somewhere else including the lands around Lake Rossignol. The peace and solitude of this wild space brought him much joy. In his later years, when he could no longer work in the woods, he loved splitting kindling with his axe, some of which would go to the market.

Dad loved time spent with family, especially gatherings centered around holidays, birthdays and barbeques. He enjoyed good food that was shared and hearing the laughter of children. For many years, we would all gather at home with Mom and Dad and our families to celebrate on Christmas Day - such wonderful memories of those roast turkey dinners and the comfort and warmth of family. Dad always carved the turkey and helped Mom make the pies. The days after Christmas brought many visits from aunts, uncles, and cousins. For many years, an annual Christmas party gathering brought us together to celebrate with music, pot luck dinner, and the exchange of gifts. A visit from Santa Claus kept us all believing in miracles.

Bobby loved music and took more time to enjoy it as the years passed. His parents frequently had local musical entertainment in their home, which I am sure fostered his love for music at an early age. He and Mom went to many country music shows and suppers in the local neighbourhoods. More recently he has listened to many a country and gospel music show prepared especially for him and many other seniors that also shared his passion for music. Bob’s favourite singer and performer had to be Daniel O’Donnell, and he loved it when Mary Duff joined Daniel on the stage. Stompin’ Tom, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Charlie McCoy were a few of the many other performers that were dear to his heart. Sometimes he was joined by other family members to watch these shows snuggled up by the wood stove and in front of the big screen.

Bob was curious by nature and took great pleasure in travelling and seeing new places and things. When we were children, he and Mom took us on an annual family vacation travelling to many parts of the Maritimes, Quebec, including the Gaspe peninsula, Ontario, and the New England States. Probably one of his most memorable trips with family took him to BC. He also found his way to Florida and Las Vegas (the only trip by air). He and Mom took many a trip to Cape Breton, PEI and New Brunswick in their senior years making some very special friends along the way. A day trip to their cottage on the Mersey River was a weekend adventure they took year-round. Food and firewood were packed with care and off they went down the road. Bob also enjoyed reading his daily newspaper and a variety of books. He was especially drawn to true stories of survival and personal stories of lives lived and the challenges they faced.

Dad was a dedicated caregiver to Mom for the many years of her dementia journey and although he had help from family and home support he was the one that was there through it all and she was the one whose smile kept him strong.

In May of last year, he was welcomed with open arms into his new home at North Queens Nursing home. Although leaving his farm home was not easy, he soon felt the love of everyone in his new Caledonia home. Many of them had fond remembrances of the days that Bob the Apple peddler stopped at their homes with all of his fresh home-grown harvest.

Last week they knew that their dearly beloved Bob would soon be heading to a home even more inviting than theirs. They took me aside, whispered in my ear and told me about the one last gift that they had for him. As has been done for as long as they can remember, his window would be opened a crack so when Bob was ready, there would be nothing to hold him back. His spirit would be set free... and so it was.

The family is deeply grateful to the dedicated and compassionate caregivers and staff at North Queens Nursing Home, Rev. Neil McEwen, Rev. Kim Curlett, Lunenburg County Home Support, Coral and Val, Dr. D, Sweeny’s Funeral Home, and all of his many friends and family. Hugs to you all!

Funeral Service was held Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 2 pm at Bridgewater United Church under the care and direction of Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater. Private family burial was held in Brookside Cemetery, Bridgewater. Following the service, a reception was held. Family flowers only. 

Donations may be made to North Queens Nursing Home, Lunenburg County Home Support, Bridgewater United Church, Heart and Stroke Association, or charity of your choice.

On-line condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com