PASSED AWAY SUDDENLY IN MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK ON 2 DECEMBER 2002 AT THE AGE OF 37

HE WAS THE REGIONAL EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (RETO) FOR ATLANTIC CANADA AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH

I never had the pleasure of working with Bob Simpson. I was working in Toronto when he passed away suddenly in 2002. His position as Regional Emergency Telecommunications Officer (RETO) was not filled permanently until 2004 and I was the one who was chosen to replace him. After moving from Toronto to Moncton in August 2004, I reported to the office and was given access to all emails pertaining to Emergency Telecommunications. These emails gave me a clear picture of what happened on Monday 2 December 2002.

As per his email traffic, Bob reported for work that morning and was active for a while in sending various emails regarding emergency telecom issues. At some point during the day, he started to feel unwell and sent an email saying that he was going home for the rest of the day. He passed away later on that day. I believe his death was due to heart failure but I cannot confirm it. Bob was only 37 years old and was athletic. His sudden death was quite a shock and deeply affected his work colleagues in Moncton and throughout the four Atlantic provinces.

I never knew Bob personnally but everything I heard about him from his colleagues and from his clients was good. His sudden departure was a big loss for Industry Canada and for other federal departments in the Atlantic provinces. His loss was also felt by the provincial Emergency Measures Organizations (EMO) he regularly dealt with, in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Donald Courcy

9 November 2014