Obituary of Robert McNiven

Dear family, friends and musicians,My husband Robert “Bob” McNiven peacefully passed away May 4th, at our home, after a long and courageous battle with ALS. Robert was born May 24th, 1952 in Altoona, Pennsylvania to Mary and Reverend Andrew McNiven. Their family, including his older brother Don and younger sister Marlene, lived all over Ontario and briefly in the US, where Bob was born. Travelling to perform gospel music as the Singing McNiven's, and so Andrew could minister to communities.I met Bob in 1977, and we have been together ever since. It was love. Our son Matthew was born in 1979 and we moved to Toronto in 1980. We always said "it’s you and me, my partner, my confidant". Walking arm in arm through everything, both good and difficult. His illness was no different. Together. Partners walking together, fighting together and taking the time to enjoy the simple things, being close.He was so proud of our son and daughter in law Naomi Dylan and was overjoyed to meet his granddaughter, Reine who was born in Dec. 2019.Bob made many friends and enjoyed working at Statistics Canada for many years. He was deeply fond of his friends and colleagues, and talking to people all over the country. My husband was funny, loving, a great listener, and organizer.He will be sadly missed by all his friends and family including the hundreds of musicians that he has played with over the years. He met Duncan Fremlin and joined Whiskey Jack just after our son was born. Their music together and 40 years of friendship was a huge part of his life. I often call Duncan his “other wife”. Bob also had a special love for Howard Willett, calling him “his brother from another mother.” He was inspired and enjoyed writing and playing locally with Howard through their duo Roots and Branches.He loved meeting and performing with the amazing, talented musicians on stage with Whiskey Jack.His passion was music both composing and playing and his love was family.While Bob loved public performing, he was often private about his family life. We spent the last few years just being together at home with our friends & family.He is survived by his sister Marlene Morton and his brother in law Byron, his brother Don McNiven and sister in law Sue McNiven, my sister Sandy Lorberg and brother in law Hans Lorberg, my brother Jim Duncan, and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.Once we are allowed to have public gatherings again, we will have a celebration of his life the way he would have wanted.Thank you to everyone who donated to the Bob McNiven ALS Journey Fundraising, it has made a word of difference.-Love Judy Duncan