Robert Noel Rasmussen

In Loving Memory

Robert Noel (“Bob”) Rasmussen, of Mississauga, passed away peacefully on July 2, at Trillium Hospital, at the age of 93. He was born in Halifax on April 30, 1933, and was the adopted son of the late Hans and Ingeborg Rasmussen.

Noel grew up in Stewiacke and, at the age of 17, enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy, serving from 1950 to 1955, and was a Korean War veteran. After leaving the military, he worked in a variety of positions, including with Arrow Shirts in Winnipeg, and later spent 10 years in administration with the Ontario Blue Cross. Although he initially retired at the age of 65, he soon grew bored and, in his own words, had “too much energy and was too healthy,” so he spent another 13 years delivering dental supplies throughout the Greater Toronto Area before retiring for good at the age of 78.

At the age of 89, Noel drove to Nova Scotia for a three-week visit with his sister, Joanne, and her husband, Gary. During that trip, he got to know Joanne’s granddaughter, Taylor, a genealogy enthusiast, who helped him discover his biological family, something that brought him tremendous joy. After nearly 90 years, he was finally able to meet, in-person, his half-brother, Curt Svendsen, and a niece and nephew, and many long-held questions were finally answered. While in Nova Scotia, he also had the opportunity to visit his niece, Kimberlee, and her family in Stewiacke, and spend some time with his sister, Joyce. 

One of the highlights of Noel’s day was visiting with his coffee buddies at McDonald’s, where he shared countless stories, laughter, and friendship. Noel was always an optimist and had a love and zest for life. He always had plans…even to the end. 

He will be dearly missed by his two sisters, Joyce Merson-Demone of Dartmouth and Joanne (Gary) Hamilton of St. Margaret's Bay; his many nieces and nephews; and the new-found family who brought him so much joy in his later years. 

Besides his parents, Noel was predeceased by his nephew, Greg Hamilton, in 2025.

The family extends special thanks to the cardiology staff at Trillium Hospital for their excellent care and compassion, to Iwona who worked tirelessly on Noel’s behalf with Veteran’s Affairs, and to Danny and his wife for helping to carry out Noel’s final wishes.

Cremation has taken place. A graveside interment will be held on July 26th at 2pm at Pine Grove Cemetery in Stewiacke, Nova Scotia.