September 9, 2019
In Memoriam - Bob Wilton
Bob Wilton
Well-known, and well-respected in the landscaping and snow removal professions, Bob founded Clintar Landscape Management in 1973 and retired in 2014 after spending 40 years leading the way in the landscape maintenance sector.
Bob was born in 1946 and grew up in Leaside where he spent his days with his lifelong friends and playing hockey at Leaside Memorial Arena. He attended Ryerson earning his degree in Business Administration which was the base of his successful business career. He started his company modestly, only looking to make sure his family had ‘food and shelter,’ but what he eventually founded was the most well-known landscape management company in Canada.
Bob is survived by his loving wife Maggie, devoted sons Todd (Loreal), Jason (Megan) and Ryan (Alicia) his five beautiful grandchildren, Lyla, Royal, Linkoln, Abby, and Charlie, his loving sister, Louise Chalmers, his brother-in-law, John (Diana), Patrick (Janet), his devoted sister-in-law Kathleen (aka Special K) as well as many other loving nieces, nephews, and cousins which all held a special place in his heart. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Wilma and George.
Bob was a mentor, teacher, friend and visionary. He was integral in the growth of the landscape industry, working with alongside peer and competitors in a collective effort to direct and protect the industry. His involvement in trade organizations, including Landscape Ontario, made him exceptionally respected in his field, earning multiple lifetime achievement awards at the end of his career.
Bob was one of the founders of the Snow and Ice Management Sector of Landscape Ontario and has been instrumental in dealing with the risk management issues facing that sector through the introduction of the Standard Form Contract, the Contractor Rating System and the successful effort to reduce the statute of limitations from seven, down to two years.
Bob was the first to embrace industry certifications and encouraged his staff and competitors staff to raise the bar in the industry.
Bob was well known for taking the time to learn about people, and teaching them. He would spend hours sharing his knowledge and experience with anyone who requested it. He was involved heavily in many charitable organizations, namely the Dr. Tom Pashby Sports Safety Fund and the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation.
Bob had a passion for nature, loved his Corvettes, trips to Florida, and golfing however, his most pronounced passion was his family. Bob was an exceptional husband, father, ‘Grampy’, brother, uncle and role model. He valued more than anything time with his family, especially his five beautiful grand children around the pool in his backyard during the summertime.
A special thank you to Dr. Andrew Patterson and our special angels, Maria, Shayla, and Sue. You were here for Bob in his final years, and the absolute marvellous care you’ve brought to Bob in his final months made all the difference to him and our family. We couldn’t have gone through this without you, and he knew every moment that he was in the best of care.
In memory of Bob, donations to the Evergreen Hospice Markham (Dr. Andrew Patterson and team) would be greatly appreciated.