Obituary of Robert David Dillman

Robert Dillman   1948 - 2024

It is with heavy hearts the family of Robert David Dillman of Cooks Brook, NS announce his passing on April 28, 2024, at home. Born June 15, 1948, in Elderbank, NS to the late Harvey and Phyllis (Norman) Dillman. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

In Dad’s younger years he loved to play baseball and hockey with the community locals, work on the family farm and along with his brothers, torment his mother and sister. He moved to Thompson, Manitoba at the age of 16 to work, he worked there until he met mom, he then moved backed to NS. Mom and Dad married on April 15, 1972, and started their family. Dad was a hard worker, always working to provide for his family. Dad worked for Department of Transportation for 31 years, retiring in September 2003, he could operate any piece of equipment they had.  He drove trucks for many local companies as a second job so we could do extra things as a family. In 1990 Mom and Dad started Shady Brook Enterprises, they worked hard to get the company established. After mom passed and he retired, he worked hard to grow the company even further. In 2023 Dad purchased Porter’s Lake Septic Pumping to add to the fleet. Dad love getting into the seat of the “Shady Lady” (his 1989 Ford Louisville) and hauling whatever needed to be hauled, he also took great pride in operating his excavator. 

Dad loved his family and always made us his priority, he loved Dodge vehicles, cold Keith’s beer, car races (especially when Jeff was racing), going for drives and talking about old times with Tanya, weekend breakfast dates with Dillan, visits from Taylor and Wren to break up his days and watching Gabby show her horse. Dad had a quick wit, loved to torment and had a nick name for everyone, whether you knew it or not. He was known to many as Gramps and wore the title proudly.

Left heartbroken are his daughter; Tanya (Doug MacKenzie) of Lake Egmont, and his son Jeff of Cooks Brook, his grandchildren, who were his world; Dillan Black (Nicole Richard), Belnan, Taylor Black (Devon Saulnier), Meagher’s Grant,and Gabby Dillman and her mother Cathy Scullion, Cooks Brook;  his great-granddaughter, Wren Saulnier (or as Puppy called her,  "Fart") and Baby Boy Saulnier,  Meagher’s Grant; chosen grandchildren, Ben(Dorita) Bell and their son Charlie, Musquodoboit Harbour, and Molly(Peter)Barbrick and Baby to Be, Middle Musquodoboit. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Rose Dillman, Shubenacadie and Jean Dillman, Dunmore, AB, along with sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Verne Thomas, Meagher’s Grant, numerous nieces and nephews from coast to coast. He had a second family, the owners, staff and friends he made at Whistler’s Pub and Grub.

He was predeceased 20 1/2 years ago by the apple of his eye, his wife, Susan (Jodrey), his brothers, Norman, Ray, and Ivan, his sister and brother-in-law, Una and Bill Colman, sister Irma and brother Michael, both in infancy. His step- father Ralph Miller and his in-laws, Earle and Fay Jodrey.

Cremation has taken place under the direction and care of Ettinger Funeral Homes, Shubenacadie and Elmsdale.

We will be celebrating Dad’s life on Saturday, May 4^th at 3pm at Whistler’s Pub and Grub, 285 George Street, Stewiacke.  We will be toasting and raising our glasses to him at 3:30pm. This is a casual event.

Donations in Dad’s memory may be made to a charity that is close to your heart.

We would like to thank Dad’s doctors and nurses for all their help given to Dad and our family during his illness.

Tributes, words of comfort and memories can be left for the family at www.ettingerfuneralhome.com