After a long battle fought courageously, Robert Gardner Sandney passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at home at the age of 60 years old.
Robert leaves to mourn his wife Karen, children; Angela (Kevin) Wiersema, Bryan Olson, Jonathan Bouma, grandchild Hunter Wiersema, special nieces; Camryn Turner, Sheylene Gabruch, siblings; Larry (Donna), Raymond (Shelly), Blanche (Len) Asham, Carrol, Lindy (Kenny) Knott, Peter (Fern), Kenny (Becky), Gerald (Alison), Mike (Donna), Shelley (Ken) Doell, Rickie, brother-in- law Robert Knott, sister-in-law Pamela Olson, and nieces, nephews and cousins to numerous to mention.
Robert is predeceased by his parents Irene and Lawrence, sister Diana Knott, parents-in-law Marie and Oscar Olson, sisters-in-law; Cathy Sandney and Cynthia Turner, and God-son Brett Sandney.
He attended Portage Collegiate Institute and after high school he worked at Decor Cabinets, Hay Decorating & Painting and the Portage General Hospital before pursuing a career with the Department of Justice as a Correctional Officer. He worked at Brandon Correctional Centre, Headingly Correctional Centre, Winnipeg Remand Centre and then finished his career at Agassiz Youth Centre where he retired from in 2010.
He met the love of his life, Karen, in 2003 and they got married in the fall of 2004. In 2010 he followed his wife to Gillam, MB and promptly got bored in retirement and took up a job at the Gillam Hospital. Robert also volunteered with the Gillam Fire Department alongside his wife Karen, and was also pursuing his EMS license while in Gillam.
Robert loved to travel to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico with Karen and their dogs and enjoyed his time on his acreage. In 2021, when his granddaughter was born, it was decided that Robert needed to move back to Portage la Prairie to be closer to her.
Visitation and viewing will be held on Thursday February 15, 2024 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Rd S, Portage la Prairie, MB.
Funeral service will be held at the Omega Funeral Home on Friday February 16, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., with Colleen Flynn officiating.
Pallbearers will be son-in-law, Kevin Wiersema, friends Mike Jassal and Reg Sinclair, nephews; Jamie Knott, Jason Knott, Chris Asham, Sean Sandney and Anthony Wilson. Eulogy will be read by sister Shelly Doell. Honorary pallbearers will be sons Bryan and Jonathan, brothers; Larry, Raymond, Peter, Kenny, Gerald, Mike and Rickie. An Honour Guard will be formed from all Correctional Facilities. Internment to follow at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery.
Robert had a great love for animals owning numerous pets over the years. If friends or family desire, memorial donations can be made to Portage Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), 121 - 12th St. NE, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 4A2
Messages of condolence can be made online at www.omegafuneralhome.com