Obituary of Robert (Bob) Darrell Shears

Robert (Bob) Darrell Shears
September 27, 1943 - February 25, 2025

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Robert Darrell Shears, who left us on February 25, 2025, at Pleasant View Towers in St. John’s, at the age of 81.

He was born in St. David’s, NL, grew up in Hawke’s Bay, NL, and spent most of his working life in Wabush. Known to his family as “Darrell”, he became known as “Bob” when he left home. He was a welder by trade and for many years was a foreman with Hunt’s Iron Works, that manufactured equipment for the iron ore mines in Labrador. Bob had a very quick understanding of how to construct things from engineering blueprints and enjoyed his work to the fullest. He made a lot of great friends while working there and kept in touch with many of them after retiring.

He was the son of Robert Cecil Shears and Hilda May Hayman, both deceased. He was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth Whiffen; and son Brian Darrell.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; daughter Joanne; granddaughters Martina and Bethanie; brother Garry (Linda); nephew Stephen (Alice); and their sons Richard and Edward.

Darrell was loved and will be missed by so many of his extended Shears and Whiffen family. He will be missed by Joan’s children, Claudette and Peter Morris, Joan’s granddaughter, Nakita, who called him “Happy Bob” and her brother and sister-in-law: Les and Edna King.

Robert and Joan spent several years in Pasadena during his retirement, and he was very active in the Anglican Church. He loved being productive and came out of retirement to help with some local construction projects, notably the circular stairway in the Sir Wilfred Grenfell College Observatory.

He was a man of immense humor and wisdom, cherishing every moment spent with his loved ones and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of 1 South East, Pleasant View Towers for their kindness shown to Bob during his time there.

A funeral service will take place at Fillatre’s Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, August 15, 2025 at 2:00pm with interment to follow at Mount Patricia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert’s memory may be made to The Alzheimer Society or the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre in St. John’s..

A Golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us he only takes the best.