Obituary of Robert Leslie Hunter

Hunter, Robert Leslie “Bob”

January 6, 1937-February 25, 2021

It is with great sadness the family of Bob Hunter announces his passing on February 25^th, 2021 at the age of 84; at Strathmere Lodge. Bob was the beloved husband of Bonnie Hunter (nee McCrae) for over 31 years. Proud father of Bob Hunter Jr., Bill (Harriet) Hunter, the late infant son Brian Hunter, and stepfather of Ken (Sarah) Ford. Grandfather of Camryne and Alexandra Hunter, Ryann Hunter, and Amelia and Natalie Ford. Survived by his sister Jean Marshall. Predeceased by his sisters Willa (Ray) Wuerth, Joan (Vincent) Thompson and Harley Marshall.

When Bob was a young boy the family moved from London to Strathroy, following his father’s purchase of a dairy farm and building what became known as Hunter Dairy. Bob quickly found out that chores on the dairy farm became a daily priority both before and after school.

These were the days when milk was in glass bottles, with Hunter’s Jersey Dairy painted on the bottle, and delivered to your door by horse and dairy wagon. Later Bob would drive the tanker truck to the local dairy farms and bring the cow’s milk back to Hunter Dairy for pasteurization.  As small-town dairies were becoming obsolete, a portion of the Hunter Dairy building was leased by Silverwoods/Beatrice Foods and used as a distribution centre for three delivery routes in West Middlesex, Lambton, Kent and some of Elgin Counties. The remainder of the building was then renovated and became the first Dairy Case Convenience Store.

Bob attended Colborne Street Public School, SDCI and Ontario Dairy School in Guelph post-secondary graduating in 1957. Bob with a family and two boys also playing minor sports in Strathroy; started sponsoring and coaching The Hunter Dairy Atoms for a number of years. Bob played all sports in his youth and was quite competitive in hockey, baseball, golf and bowling.
He helped with Youth Bowling as well as bowling in the Monday Industrial League and an Ontario Provincial Team and was a playing member at Strathroy Golf & Curling Club for many years.

His business life saw the accumulation of a chain of Dairy Case Convenience Stores in Strathroy as well as locations in London, Lambeth, Leamington, Kingsville, Bothwell, Watford, Dresden and Dutton. He also owned two Foodland’s, one in Wyoming and the other in Komoka-that also had Home Hardware, Superior Store in Delaware, M&M Meats in London and a motel. The expansion of the original Dairy Case plaza, which is on Albert St., in Strathroy to this day saw a Pop Shoppe, laundromat/ dry cleaners, restaurant, Petro Canada gas bar, car wash and many years ago a joint venture with a town favourite The Frosty Queen.

Bob was frequently met by people in town with “Hi Bob, remember me? I used to work for you way back when or when I was in high school”. He enjoyed those meetings very much. In retirement Bob obtained his real estate license for a few years after leaving all the other businesses. He always had a love for animals, and this is when he and Bonnie started owning Standard Breed racehorses. Through the years they owned close to a dozen. He loved going to all the races at the area tracks. He also loved going to the barns in town to see how his “guys” were doing, the horses, trainers and handlers. Going to Roy’s Coffee Shop was also a daily stop to take in bets or brag when one of his horses did well. Just Bert, the favourite and winningest horse was named Iron Horse of the Year at Western Fair Raceway in 1999 for having one of the best winning percentages that year. Bob really enjoyed this time of his life.

Bob was a very well-known business owner for over 50 years in the Strathroy community and was a familiar face and will be missed by so many.  Bob's family would like to express sincere appreciation to the staff and caregivers at Strathmere Lodge for going above and beyond with their incredible care during a challenging time, making him feel loved and cared for.

Visitation will take place on Sunday, February 28^th, 2021 at DENNING’S OF STRATHROY. Please click Here to register for visitation. A private family service will be held. Interment to take place at Strathroy Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Research Canada and the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. Arrangements entrusted to DENNING’S OF STRATHROY.