Bateman, Robert Sidney

Sep 24, 2025

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our father, Robert Sidney Bateman on September 9, 2025. Born on December 11, 1931 in Cornwall, Ontario, the oldest child of the late Sydney and Marian Bateman.  In 1953, Bob married the “Peg O’ My Heart”, Martha Elaine Stephenson, in Cornwall, ON. They raised five children, Karen (Jack) Skafte of Bridgetown, NS, Bruce of Cornwall, ON, Lori (Bill) Henderson of Bridgetown, NS, Geoff (Mary) of Powder Springs, GA and Barbara (Tim) DeBaie of Langford, BC.

Robert (Bob) also leaves behind 12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.  He is predeceased by his wife, Elaine, in 2008, and a grandson, Mitchell.  Bob is survived by his sister, Eleanor Larocque.

Bob served in the SD&G Highlanders as a soldier/piper from January 1948 to April 1954.  He owned and operated several service stations, including Bateman Motors in Cornwall, selling and servicing cars, motorcycles and snowmobiles. He was self-taught in everything he did, a jack of all trades and a master of many, a perfectionist to his core.  

Bob had many interests that included canoeing, sailing, photography and woodworking.  He was an expert mechanic on British cars and motorcycles, particularly the Velocette, and he and Elaine enjoyed many rides all through Ontario in the 1960’s thru 1980’s.  He was an avid reader of military history and an admirer of nature that his children gained a deep appreciation of. Bob had a love of “man’s best friend” and for most of his life had a dog who joined the family on many long walks in the country.

Robert and Elaine retired in 1988 to the family cottage they established in 1974.  He loved living at the lake and gained tremendous enjoyment from helping and teaching others how to maintain and repair all things related to cottage life.  In his retirement years, the maintenance and improvement of the cottage association road occupied much of his time. He was a wealth of knowledge that we will all miss.  The family is grateful for the love and appreciation expressed by the many friends that Bob and Elaine made over the years of living on the lake. 

Donations can be made to Salvation Army in memory of Robert S. Bateman.