10/20/2025
Rest In Peace Bob Newman. I met him in the spring of 2018 when i went for a walk with my boy in his stroller. Back then I started working on a photo book on ‘People of Petrolia’ and he agreed to let me take his picture. He was the kindest man and even made a rocking horse for our son. I wanted to send him an email last week, with a photo of the kids and the horse, that is now a bit too little. A few days ago I heard that he passed away in September. What a great guy he was!
He loved fishing and volunteered at the Petrolia food bank after he retired from his job as a pharmacist. He also dedicated his time refurbishing rocking horses. Thanks for your trust, Bob, for letting me interview you and take your picture. I interviewed and portrayed about a dozen people until my own father suddenly passed away a few days after taking this picture. I then abandoned the book idea. However, this was a lovely photo and it was fun taking it. Bob was very cooperative, he showed me his beautiful house and let me decorate his deck with fishing gear and the rocking horse he made for us! My condolences to the family! Happy to have met you
