It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Past President of the Rotary Club of Bangor, Bob Jellie, who passed away peacefully in the Ulster Hospital Dundonald on 6 February 2025 after a debilitating illness. Bob was a man of boundless energy and generosity, with an unwavering dedication to his family and community. He will have left an indelible mark on all who knew him.
Bob shared a cherished partnership with his beloved wife, Yvonne, just a couple of weeks short of sixty years of marriage, a testament to enduring love and commitment. Their bond was the cornerstone of his life, in which he radiated warmth and unity that extended to their entire family circle and friends.
Renowned for his sharp wit and infectious humor, Bob was the life of every gathering. His quick humorous remarks, especially about how Yvonne was his true ‘boss’ could lighten any room, making him great fun to be around. Friends and family loved his company, whether producing jokes to suit every occasion, sharing stories over a meal, or entertaining nephews and nieces with conjuring tricks.
Bob’s love for travel took him around the world with many of his friends, providing memories that reflected his adventurous spirit and zest for life.
As a dedicated member of Round Table and Bangor Rotary, Bob embodied the spirit of ‘service above self.’ He joined the Rotary Club of Bangor in 1979 serving over 45 years. His visionary leadership as President of Bangor Rotary in 1991 led to the creation of an annual Charity Breakfast—an initiative that has since raised thousands of pounds for many causes and charities.
Up to the present time, this event remains a thriving fundraising force for good, a testament to Bob’s foresight and compassionate nature of always trying to help others.
Bob lived his life brimming with purpose and happiness. Though he will be deeply missed by Yvonne, his extended family, and his countless friends whose lives he touched in so many ways, his legacy will endure from all the happy memories he has left, and the lives he transformed through his lifetime of charitable work.
Bob’s story is one of a life well lived to the full. A man who displayed his Christian life through his actions and concerns for others.
He will be greatly missed.
Bill Aiken
President, Rotary Club of Bangor