In Memoriam: Archpriest Robert Stephen (Father Bob) Kennaugh 1942-2024

Peacefully on Friday, January 12, 2024, at Riverview Health Centre, the Servant of God, the Archpriest Robert Wayne Stephen Kennaugh (Father Bob) fell asleep in the Lord, with family by his side.

Bob was born July 11, 1942 in Winnipeg and raised in Norwood. As a child he loved pulling pranks on his siblings. As a young adult in the summers, he worked for the city selling dog and bike licences. Bob obtained Bachelor of Arts and Master of Social Work Degrees from the University of Manitoba. He worked in social services positions as well as a computer programmer for the Mincome pilot project. Bob also worked in Braille transcription for both the CNIB and the Department of Education and attended numerous conferences.

Bob met Dianne in Winnipeg in 1965 and they were married on June 3, 1967 in Regina, Saskatchewan. They enjoyed a 56 ½ year marriage full of love, service and witness of caring to each other, their family, Church and broader community. Fr. Bob and Matuhka Dianne raised two daughters and supported the upbringing of five grandchildren at Grandma and Grandpa’s day care. Their home on Dominion Street in Winnipeg was a loving gathering place for friends, neighbours, Metropolitans, Bishops, clergy and faithful alike;  and innumerable celebrations, house concerts and parties: Serving and feeding those in need humbly with love and without judgment.

After a lengthy Diaconate in which he served at Western rite Orthodox mission of St. Mary the Virgin (under the Antiochian Archdiocese) and various Orthodox communities in Winnipeg, he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on 23,1991 and given the responsibility of taking care of two parishes:  St. Nicholas Orthodox Churches in both Narol, MB and Sandy Lake, MB which he dutifully fulfilled until his retirement in 2013. He was Dean of Manitoba and Saskatchewan for the Orthodox Church of America, Archdiocese of Canada for several years. He loved his pastoral work with these congregations.

Fr. Bob loved family gatherings and visiting with family. Bob and Dianne travelled to Europe, many southern tropical places and across Canada. He had many hobbies and one of his pastimes was reenacting Civil War history. Bob had a camel collection which grew until Dianne capped it at his 70th birthday. A spare room that was adorned with a lot of the collection was affectionately known as “Camelot”. Bob enjoyed knitting, cross-stitching, trivia and Sudoku. He was an ardent supporter of the Winnipeg Music Festival and enjoyed listening to classical music and watching musicals in his room at the Riverview Health center.

Bob was predeceased by his parents Stan and Edith Kennaugh. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Dianne Kennaugh; children, Laurel (Vincenzo) Litardi, Suzanne (Richard) Paintin; grandchildren, Adriana Litardi (fiancé Scott Thorne), Nicholas and Jasper Litardi, Christina and Malcolm Paintin; siblings, William Kennaugh, Susan (Bob) Armstrong, his nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, extended family and friends.

We would like to thank the staff at Riverview Health Centre for their care and kindness to Bob and our family. Special thanks to all who visited, prayed, sent cards, notes and treats and to cousins Pat and Mait Sundmark and Sheila Burland for your continued love and support.

Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. presided by His Eminence Archbishop Irénée (Archdiocese of Canada) followed by Divine Liturgy Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Both services will be at St. Demetrios Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Avenue. Following the service on Saturday there will be a lunch in the Church Hall. Interment will take place at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Cemetery, 5635 Henderson Highway, Narol, MB. Pallbearers are Dale Douma, Jasper Litardi, Nicholas Litardi, Vincenzo Litardi, Christina Paintin, Malcolm Paintin, Richard Paintin, David Pensato and Scott Thorne.

In lieu of flowers, should friends so desire, donations may be made to the Riverview Health Centre Foundation at One Morley Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3L 2P4 or to St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Narol, MB at 5635 Henderson Highway, Narol, MB R1C 0B6 or to a charity of your choice.

Memory Eternal