With great sadness, I announce that one of our respected elder members, Mr. Bob McRory, passed away on August 3, 2016.

Bob was one of the people who built the foundation of the Edmonton Masters Swim Club. We are known and respected wherever swim meets are held, and we have every reason to be proud of the team and thankful for the people who started it.  Bob was one of those people.

Terry Dewhurst, now the last remaining member of the “Druid Drinking Team” (pictured: Larry Judge, Terry Dewhurst , Bob McRory, and Jack Boddington), has fond memories of Bob.  He recalls that Bob proudly wore the ring that he received over twenty years ago at the City of Edmonton’s Salute to Excellence Awards Ceremony for representing the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Masters Swim Club.

The “Druid Drinking Team” (pictured: Jack Boddington, Bob McRory, Larry Judge, and Terry Dewhurst) achieved fame for competing as a 320+ relay team.  However, when Bob’s name was misspelled in the FINA World Top Ten results, he sent me the following note, aptly demonstrating his dry sense of humor:  As you know, I came out of retirement to fill in the 320+ relay team. I thought if I did that (which I did), my name would appear on the results, so people would know I’m still alive. Unfortunately, that didn’t work too well. Some guy named Bob MacQuarrie took my place.

Here is the notice from today’s Edmonton Journal:

Bob McRory, 1926-2016, Robert Erle “Bob” McRory, A.O.E., ex-RCNVR, passed away on August 3, aged 90. Beloved husband of Joyce; father of Bob Jr. (Maureen), Tim (Susan) and Steven (Christi); grandfather and great-grandfather. Greatly loved, he will be greatly missed. Funeral service 2 p.m., Monday, August 8 at St. Andrew’s United Church, 9915-148 Street, Edmonton. Donations to the Salvation Army in lieu of flowers.