Mr. Speaker, this morning a 26th annual memorial service was held to recognize the parliamentarians we have lost over the past year. Included was Bob Wood, who represented the riding of Nipissing as a member of the Liberal Party for nearly 16 years, up until 2004. He passed away in North Bay a few months ago at the age of 85, and Anthony Rota succeeded him in the riding, now known as Nipissing—Timiskaming.
Bob served as parliamentary secretary to the minister of veteran affairs, with North Bay being a major Canadian Forces base with a strong NORAD presence. Bob was beloved by the citizens of the riding, and I doubt there are many MPs in this room who can boast of having topped every poll in three successive campaigns. While exuberant in his political and social presence, Bob Wood's legacy of kindness was private and personal as he offered that kindness when no one was looking.
The people of Nipissing—Timiskaming, his colleagues in Parliament and the citizens of Canada extend their deepest thanks to Bob and their sympathy to his family. May Bob rest in peace.