We are deeply sad to announce the passing of our dear friend and fellow member, Bob Ireland, following a long illness. See the note from our club president Marva Bailey-Wisdom below, along with the eulogy delivered at our club meeting by his friend, Dr. Ranjit Singh, plus Bob's obituary and a Guelph news story about his passing.
February 18, 2026
My Fellow Rotarians,
It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of our dear friend and fellow member, Bob Ireland, following a long illness.
For many years, Bob was a steady and generous presence in our Club and in our wider community. He embodied the spirit of service above self — not only in words, but in action. Whether mentoring new members, supporting our signature initiatives, or quietly leading whenever help was needed, his commitment never wavered.
Beyond our Club, Bob’s contributions reached far and wide. He believed deeply in strengthening community institutions and uplifting those most in need. His philanthropy with Guelph General Hospital, St. Joe’s, River Run Centre, Homewood Health, the United Way, Heritage Hall, to name a few, reflected both compassion and conviction — supporting local causes, educational opportunities, health initiatives, and organizations that expanded dignity and possibility for others. Much of his giving was done without fanfare, guided by principle rather than recognition.
Through his leadership, generosity, and integrity, Bob helped shape the character of our Club and the community we serve. His legacy will continue in the projects he supported, the lives he touched, and the example he set for all of us.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Sharon and family. Special sympathies to the ‘Rotary Senators’ who gathered with Bob in his expansive garage for regular fun and fellowship - in sickness and in health.
We will share details of arrangements and any opportunities to honour his life as they become available.
We will remember him with gratitude — and continue the work he cared about so deeply.
With love and sympathy,
Marva Bailey-Wisdom O.Ont.
President, Rotary Club of Guelph
Bob Ireland - Eulogy
by Dr. Ranjit Singh, at the Rotary Club of Guelph meeting
on February 20, 2026
Our friend and fellow Rotarian, Bob Ireland, passed away on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026. He will be sorely missed by all … in the city, in this club, among his business associates, and by his family.
It is hard to conjure up a sombre mood when talking about Bob Ireland. The first thing Bob would say, if he knew I was standing here, speaking on his behalf and praising him, the first thing he would say is “You are full of …” (you know what).
Some of you may have had this experience with Bob. Bob would take a good look at you, especially if you were a newer Rotarian, and he would say, “You know what? You’re not such a bad fellow after all.” And if you have experienced this, it will ring a bell.
Bob represented all that is good in Rotary, and he was a fine example of Service Above Self. I doubt that anyone in the club can remember any project where Bob did not play an integral part in shepherding such a project through the tunnel. He was always affable and willing, he made the newest Rotarians feel at home in this club, and he was a master of fundraising for the Foundation of the Guelph General Hospital as well as many other concerns in the city.
As many of you know from the classic stories of Bob, he started off in a humble fashion in 1965, in a small room on Fountain Street in Guelph, making tools, dies, jigs and other instruments for industry. In his stories, he often spoke about going to Toronto with a few dollars in his pocket to bid for the key equipment that he needed for his engineering effort. Sixty years after that, after a truly amazing history, Guelph Tool and Die morphed into Guelph Manufacturing Group which today employs over 600 employees at last count.
I remember Bob, as part of his church outreach at St. Andrew’s church, giving employment to several ‘Boat People’ who came here as refugees from south east Asia. I believe that the minister of his church, during a sermon, had put out a request for help with refugees and Bob was the first to put his hand up. These refugees became prized employees at Guelph Tool and Die, and up to today, they and their families have deep respect for Bob and the Ireland family in general.
Bob was a devoted family man and supportive of his three sons, John, Brad and Rob, as well as his many grandchildren who call him Papa. As his wife Sharon said, “Bob is a devoted and caring family man who enjoys having fun with everyone, and he has a strong love of God, church, family, and all people.” Look back on his record and you will see just how true that is.
Bob joined this Rotary club in 1981, and he became a natural fit in exemplifying Service Above Self in everything he did. He was always willing to help and support any project and to fundraise. His generosity in the City of Guelph knows no bounds and I am not going to name all of the wonderful projects that Bob was involved with in this city.
We often used his facilities on his property on Watson Road for many activities such as sorting light bulbs for Sparkles, and he provided help with storage and transportation of materials not only for Sparkles but for other projects as well. Bob and Sharon hosted most our club’s annual picnics and corn roasts at their home.
You could always depend on Bob’s sense of humour and his willingness to do hard work. His awards, accolades and recognition for his generosity in Guelph have become legendary.
As many of you know, Bob became ill four years ago with a progressive neurologic disorder which technically is known as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, or PSP. This is a rather devastating, degenerative neurological disease. It severely limited his mobility and affected his memory and speech, and it has been distressing for all concerned to watch the decline in Bob’s personality. Sharon and his family have been remarkably supportive throughout his illness, and fortunately Bob was able, and probably at his own insistence, to stay at home where he passed away peacefully last Tuesday.
So it is with profound sadness that we mark the passing of our fellow Rotarian and friend, Bob Ireland. He will not be forgotten, and may he rest in peace.
President Marva:
Thank you, Ranjit. And I am sure also there was a lot of comfort in your friendship especially after Bob’s diagnosis. For many of our newer Rotarians who may not know Ranjit, he was an incredible and well-respected neurologist for many years at Guelph General Hospital, so imagine having a close friend who could help you understand your illness, what it means, and the journey ahead of you.
As I look out and see the many past presidents of our club at our meeting here today, I feel overwhelmed and overcome, and thank you all for coming to pay tribute to Bob and certainly to still be so supportive of this club in all we do and have done.
A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO “THE SENATORS”
A few years ago, a group of senior Rotarians - former, retired and active - formed a small group to visit Bob regularly and offer support. Eventually, Bob was wheelchair bound. They called themselves the ROTARY SENATORS and met every Wednesday from 2-3pm for coffee and discussion of current affairs, but mainly to keep Bob company. The instructions were “No Agenda or Minutes, only Trivia and Lies”. We know this was comforting to both Bob and Sharon whilst the Senators also enjoyed the fellowship. The Senators included:
SINCE DECEASED: Joe Valeriote, Bill Stevens, Jim Stevens, Clay Switzer and Carl Jadeski
OTHERS: Bob Richardson, Ranjit Singh, Bob Bothwell, Dennis Weiler, Murray Taylor, Helmuth Slisarenko, Kerry Johnson, Wayne Filsinger, Marty Fairbairn, Tom Funk
A Rotarian who could not be at today's meeting sent a special message saying that she loves the incredible Rotarians that she has had a chance to meet and gotten to know, and added that “Many of these old guys are just like Crème Brûlée … crusty on the outside, and sweet and soft on the inside!” She later added this about Bob: “From sharing his Toy Box and vehicles for Sparkles, his Rotary leadership roles, hosting the annual Rotary BBQ, raising dollars for our events and for many community projects … to his leadership and decency as a business owner … to his loyal companionship to those lucky enough to count him as a friend, Bob Ireland was the epitome of a good man."
Join our fellow Rotarians to form an Honour Guard at Bob's funeral to salute this special friend.
OBITUARY - BOB IRELAND
https://www.guelphtoday.com/obituaries/ireland-robert-bob-11900997
NEWS REPORT - Guelph loses a giant of industry with the passing of Bob Ireland
