We Remember
BEAIRSTO, Robert Edward “Bob”
July 18, 1931 — August 16, 2025
In loving memory of Robert Edward “Bob” Beairsto, born July 18, 1931, in Sedgewick, Alberta to Edna May (née Colvin) and Frederick Peters Beairsto, and passed away August 16, 2025, in Kelowna at Hospice House Central Okanagan.
Bob was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, mentor, Barbershopper, neighbour, and friend to many.
He is survived by children Colin and Jocelyn (John); grandchildren Bronwyn, Seamus, Henry (Isabelle), and Julian Beairsto; great-grandchild Cyrus Spicer; and many beloved relations including sister-in-law Irene Spence and lots of nieces and nephews across Canada and the United States.
Bob was predeceased by wife Shirley (née Spence), with whom he spent a devoted 54 years; sister Florence Colbeck (Garth); brothers Colvin (Eleanor), H.L. “Mutt” (Lorraine), Carl, Frank, Dick (Phyllis), Jim (Lillian); sister-in-law Sharon Flett; and brother-in-law Blake Spence.
Bob was the youngest of eight in a boisterous prairie home and loved family gatherings throughout his life. Bob graduated from UBC in 1956, articled in Vancouver, then moved to Kelowna to practice law with Fillmore and Company. Kelowna was a town of under 10,000 people where Okanagan Lake was still crossed by ferry. Shirley and Bob met in Vancouver at the wedding of mutual friends and married in 1957. They had happy homes in Kelowna on Christleton Avenue, Royal Avenue, and Nassau Crescent. In 1979 Bob started his own law firm, and practiced until 2007. The firm continues today as Sabey Rule.
Bob was kind, generous, and understanding. He loved gardening, music, reading, his and Shirley’s pooches, and most of all his family. We will miss his ready laugh, attentive ear, and stories, yet know his spirit will always linger at family gatherings, especially when the cookies and pie come out.
Thank you to the health care teams at Kelowna General Hospital Emergency and Floor 4B. Deep appreciation to all at Hospice House, who offered compassionate comfort and dignity to Bob and his family and friends through his short illness and to Shirley in 2011.
A Celebration of Life will be held SATURDAY, October 4, 2025, at 2:00 pm, at Central Okanagan United Church, 721 Bernard Ave, Kelowna, BC, with Cheryl Perry officiating.
The service will be streamed live by:
– Zoom. Meeting ID: 871 8097 1824, Passcode: 523290. Click here for Zoom.
– Facebook Click here for Facebook.
If you wish, please consider a donation to Central Okanagan Hospice Association or a charity of your choice, in lieu of flowers.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.
Service
SATURDAY, October 4, 2025, at 2:00 pm
Location
Central Okanagan United Church
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Service Information
Service Details
The service for BEAIRSTO, Robert Edward “Bob” is scheduled for SATURDAY, October 4, 2025, at 2:00 pm. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.


A pleasure to know, a pleasure to perform with and a great baritone, very fond memories of singing with Bob, but he didn’t like lawyer jokes.. Sincerest and deepest sympathy.
Sad to hear of Bob’s passing. We had many wonderful conversations over our shared backyard fenceover the past twenty years. Bob was always friendly, gracious, entertaining and thoughtful – a life well lived, a wonderful man and a great neighbour.
On behalf our our family, I extend our condolences to the Beairsto family members.
Sincerely,
Mark Betuzzi
Sending condolences to Colin and Jocelyn from Ireland. I remember how lovely and kind your mum and dad were to me and my sister Thérèse when we visited your home at Christmas in 1981. We had never seen a Barbershop Quarter before! and were totally blown away by your dad. He was a bundle of joy and I’m sure you will miss him deeply.