The Hamilton Fire Department Pensioner’s Association and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Veteran’s Association have announced Robert Fyfe died on Tuesday at age 91.
Fyfe was a member of the Hamilton Veteran’s Committee for many years, including serving as its Chair.
“Bob Fyfe passed away following a short stay at St Joseph Hospital,” reads the HFD Pensioner’s Association statement.
Fyfe was a firefighter with the Hamilton Fire Department from 1960 until his retirement in 1991. Fyfe served in the Royal Canadian Navy.
Over the years, Fyfe performed the Last Post at Hamilton’s Remembrance Day ceremonies and twice at ceremonies on the beaches of Dieppe, France, in 1992 and 1997.
In 2016, Fyfe was awarded a Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation for his service on the Veteran’s Committee.
The citation states:
Mr. Robert Fyfe is a former member of the Royal Canadian Navy and is a retired firefighter of thirty-one years with the Hamilton Fire Department. Mr. Fyfe stayed very involved with the community in retirement. He has been a member of numerous groups, including the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Veterans Association Band, the Toronto Signals Trumpet Band, and has personally performed the Last Post at numerous ceremonies in Hamilton, and on two occasions, on the beaches of Dieppe, France in 1992 and 1997. Mr. Fyfe has also been active in Veterans’ organizations in Hamilton. He is a long-standing member and past president of the United Council of Veterans in Hamilton and is presently serving as the chairperson of the City of Hamilton Veterans Committee. As the chairperson, Mr. Fyfe has been involved in many achievements. These include assisting in the development of municipal policy involving “The Fields of Honour” in the City of Hamilton cemeteries; aiding in revisions to the “City of Hamilton Facility Naming Policy” to recognize military personnel; updating of military memorials in Hamilton, where possible, to include military service in all theatres up to the Afghanistan deployment; and the renaming of James Street North to “Veterans Way”. He is also part of the advisory committee for the City of Hamilton’s “Veterans Place” memorial in downtown Hamilton’s Gore Park. Mr. Fyfe is also a proud serving member of The Royal Canadian Legion.
Fyfe served on Hamilton’s Veterans Committee for decades; when he decided not to reapply at the beginning of the 2022-2026 Council term, the committee asked him to remain involved as a resource member.
No details are yet available for services and commemorations.
Update, January 9
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath issued the following statement upon learning of Robert Fyfe’s passing:
It is with great sadness we learned of the passing of Robert Fyfe, a dedicated servant of his community and country. At the age of 91, Robert passed away following a short stay at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton.
Robert served with distinction in the Royal Canadian Navy and went on to a long and accomplished career as a firefighter with the Hamilton Fire Department from 1960 until his retirement in 1991. He also served as Chair of the Hamilton Veterans Committee, where his contributions were recognized in 2016 with the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation.
Robert was a respected and dedicated community champion. His legacy includes numerous achievements that all Hamiltonians benefit from today. His commendation citation highlighted his role in shaping municipal policy on The Fields of Honour in City cemeteries, aiding in revisions to the City of Hamilton’s Facility Naming Policy to recognize military personnel, updating military memorials in Hamilton, where possible, to include military service in all theatres of service up to the Afghanistan deployment, and the renaming of James Street North to Veterans Way. Robert was also part of the advisory committee for the City of Hamilton’s Veterans Place memorial in downtown Hamilton’s Gore Park – a lasting tribute to the sacrifices of Canadian service members.
Robert Fyfe holds a special place in Hamiltonians’ hearts. We recognize his bravery and courage for serving in Canada’s military, and with the Hamilton Fire Department. I thank him for the peace and freedom we all enjoy today.
My sincere condolences to Robert’s family, friends and loved ones. May he rest in peace.
I am Robert’s daughter and I want to thank you for this post. I never realized that he was so active in so many committees.
He will be greatly missed.
RIP Mister Fife
You will be missed
Thank you for your many years of dedicated service.