Tribute Notifications
Click below if you would like to be notified when a new tribute is posted.
Robert ("Rob") John O'Connor Hogg
December 3, 1948 - January 7, 2024
Tribute
It is with great sadness that the family of Robert Hogg (Rob) announces his passing at the Cranbrook Regional Hospital on January 7, 2024, after a two-and-a-half-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Rob was born on December 3, 1948 in Vancouver, British Columbia, the second child and only son of Thomas and Theresa Hogg. He is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 52 years, Donna, four children of whom they are extremely proud, their wonderful, supportive spouses, and ten amazing grandchildren: Theresa Hogg Jackson (Zyoji), Malia, Theo, and Poppy; Kevin (Leni), Sam, Ari, and Cecilia; Tim (Cheryl), Nash and River; and Kerry Stanley (Matt), Cam and Abby, and by nieces and nephews in BC and Alberta.
Rob graduated from the University of British Columbia, where he met Donna on his last day as a teenager. After completing his teacher training, Rob and Donna married in 1971 and came to Cranbrook in 1972 as Rob had a teaching position at Laurie Middle School. What was originally planned as a one-year stay turned into a life-long home in the Kootenays, where they raised their ever-growing family. Rob worked for the local school district for 48 years, the first 33 as a classroom teacher and later as an on-call Educational Assistant. Rob also taught as a Fulbright Exchange Teacher in the United States for two years (New Hampshire 1982 and Maryland 1988). Upon his second retirement, he began working as a (grand)parent volunteer at St. Mary’s Elementary which he found very enjoyable and rewarding.
Rob and Donna loved to travel, and together they visited forty countries in Europe, Asia and North Africa, South America and the Caribbean. Rob was also fortunate to travel with his son Tim through China, Mongolia, and along the Trans-Siberian Railroad through Russia, and to Chicago for a week of Cubs baseball with his son Kevin.
Donna and Rob also spent seventeen winters in their second home in Santa Clara, Mexico, where they enjoyed the company of friends from Cranbrook as well as the many wonderful local residents they met there.
Rob’s life on earth was shorter than he had anticipated, but it was filled with more blessings and adventures than he could have ever imagined. He considered himself very fortunate to have lived the quality of life that he enjoyed. He left this world unafraid and with his bucket list almost completed.
He would like to thank Dr. VanRensburg and the staffs of the Fisher Peak Clinic, and the Emergency Unit and Oncology Ward at the Cranbrook Hospital for the wonderful care they provided to him during his illness and to his wife Donna for the love and support she provided each day during this difficult time in their lives.
A funeral Mass to celebrate Rob’s life will take place at Christ the Servant Church on Saturday, January 13, at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cranbrook Food Bank in Rob’s name.
Condolences
Send a condolence, light a candle and/or share a memory, click "Send Condolence". Once your message has been approved by the moderator it will be posted to the website.
From: Ella and Terry Michalow
Relation: Relative
To Donna and family, our condolences. We will always remember visiting with you and Rob this past summer, listening to Robs passion of family, life and travelling. His happy outlook in life, funny stories, love of sports, and positive attitude, will be with us forever.
Ella and Terry Michalow
Edmonton
From: jeannie bousquet
Relation: friend
Dear Donna, I’m deeply sorry of your loss, and I will always remember Rob as a wonderful person who had a great zest in life and work. Jeannie Bousquet
From: Murray Knipfel and Germaine Besanger
Relation: Friend and colleague
I had the pleasure of working with Rob for many years at two different schools. His integrity, professionalism and genuine care for his students was obvious to all who knew him. I enjoyed our many conversations and shared experiences. I will miss hanging out with Rob at our regular Wednesday golf group and at hockey games. As a teacher and friend, his life touched so many people in such a positive way. Germaine and I send our deepest condolences to Donna and family.
From: Donna Michalow
Relation: Cousin.
So sorry for everyone’s loss. Grateful we got to visit with Rob and Donna in September. Such a caring and positive soul. Sending prayers, love and hugs to all of Rob’s loved ones. 💜
From: Sally wallis
Relation: Friend from AUS
Deepest condolences and love to Donna and family.
We met the Hogg family in 2009 when we travelled from Australia to spend the year in Canada on a year teaching exchange. Our place was far out of town and we had an eight month old. Rob and Donna didn’t even know us (only heard about us through acquaintances) and they offered us to stay at their place for 3 months while they were away for the winter and headed for Mexico. Unbelievable generosity to complete strangers. Something I’ll always remember.
After that they also took Marc to ice Hockey games and we had teas together.
Thank you Rob. Fly high you’ve earned your wings 🤍
Love Sally, Marc, Liam (and since then Lachie and Emerson) Wallis
From: Julie Fiorentino
Relation: Colleague
Dear Donna and family,
I was saddened to read about Rob’s passing. I always looked for Rob at mass when I came home for Christmas or Easter. He always made a point of finding me at the end of mass and giving me an update on his professional and personal life. He always made me feel so welcome at the church with his genuine interest in my teaching career, radiant smile and happy-go-lucky nature.
I will always be thankful for Rob when I started my teaching career in this city. He hired me to be his substitute teacher on many occasions, and he was so easy to work for. He trusted me, gave me latitude to try new things and was appreciative of my time in his classroom.
Donna, I always admired how you and Rob were such a striking couple who were always together. He always looked so proud of you and your kids. As you and your family grieve this loss, may you be comforted in knowing that you did all you could under the circumstances. You gave Rob the gift of time and were there for him, at his bedside, when he needed you.
May Rob’s wisdom resonate in your memory and you hear his laughter on the days you need it most.
Big hugs to all of you,
Julie Fiorentino
xoxoxox
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
Date & Time:
January 13, 2024
Beginning at 11:00am
Location:
Christ the Servant Catholic Church
1100 - 14th Ave. S.
Cranbrook, BC Canada
1100 - 14th Ave. S.
Cranbrook, BC Canada
Memorial Gifts
Memorial donations will be gratefully accepted to:
Cranbrook Food Bank Society, 1624 Industrial Rd. No. 2, Cranbrook, BC V1C 6R2
or donate online at
Cranbrookfoodbank.ca
Thank You Notice
Send Flowers
Floral Tributes may be ordered at:
MJ’s Floral Boutique
24 10th Avenue South
Cranbrook BC V1C 2M8
250.526.5689
When ordering please have the name of the deceased, the date of the funeral service and the Funeral Home information.
Donate In Memory
Send Condolence - For Robert Hogg
Use the form below to send a Condolence, light a memorial candle and/or share a personal memory.
