The runner visited Roseglen Seniors Village, where Audrey now lives.  As you can see, she’s enjoying the visit.

Audrey & Olympic Torch

I’m so sorry about Uncle Robert. Rod and I were so glad to have seen them. My daughters and Grandchildren were also glad to see them even though they were just little, but couldn’t get over how he looked like their Poppy.

It was sure nice to see you and Bobby, life sure is to short. How is Aunt Audrey? She is such a sweet little Lady. I must call her.

Gloria said the Memorial is cancelled. I was looking forward to see you all, but I understand if that’s their wishes.

Anyhow you guys take care. Merry Christmas to you all. We will get through this — our love ones will be with us.

Love you both,

Linda Bond

David Clinton-Baker
Lenakel Hospital
Tanna,
Vanuatu,
Melanesia.

I send my deepest sympathy to the family.

June

Bob was not just a member of the Victoria Magic Circle, to me he was my friend and I am deeply sadden by his passing.

I met Bob, years ago in the basement of the Ernie Crockford home in the theatre under the stairs and we seemed to hit it off instantly. I would often go to his home and we would talk in great depths about his family, Audrey, the club and the triple false cut as well as the Elmsly false count. He would show me his Bunsen Bowl routine or the latest silk production that he was working on and I was always impressed with his thirst for learning more.

Another of the things that impressed me most about Bob was his ability to always keep his spirits up. When Audrey and Bob’s lives were thrown into upheaval because of the improvements that were going on with their condominium, they just would laugh at the absurdity of it all.

Bob never had a bad thing to say about anyone and was able to see the greatness in so many of his fellow man and he adored his wife and life long partner. His devotion to Audrey humbled me. They had build a family together, a live together and their love was so beautiful. For those of you who were privileged to know Bob as well as I did, know just how devoted he was to his family.

Bob and I would spend hours in the lounge of his condominium lounge that was called the Malahat Lounge looking over the Gorge water way and the lights of down town Victoria. The two of us discussed what would happen with the Round Table sessions, which Bob just loved, and he offered the Victoria Magic Circle the lounge for us to meet in. We decided that we would revamp the Round Table and give it a bit more meat and that’s when we came up with the idea of a Round Table Open house. Bob looked forward to the open house more than anything. I remember clearly the routines that he would perform for the club and the joy it gave him. At these open houses, we would always hand out an award for the member of the VMC that gave the most to the Round Table meetings, the round table award. Bob received one of these awards, which he proudly hung on his living room wall.

He was there at every meeting and for a while he took care of the Round Table meetings completely.

Bob was also an active performer for the Senior Shows that were put on where he worked closely with Ron Bell and Mike (Edwards) Brough. Mike said, “…he was a great inspiration. He will surely be missed by Family, Friends, Magicians.” One of the stories that brings a smile to my face was when Bob was going to vanish a wine glass and missed his pocket and sent the glass shattering to the floor. The audience didn’t have the best hearing and only saw that there was a wine glass there one moment and the next it was gone. Pure Magic ….. for them.

Eric Bedard, a fellow magician wrote me and said, “My favourite memory of Bob is him doing a knuckle busting sleeving routine of Carl Cloutier’s and pulling it off (almost perfectly). Not many in the club would ever have the guts to even attempt to learn it. And you are right, he had an infectious smile.”

Murray Hatfield said, “I’m so sorry to hear about Bob. Although I only knew him for a short time I felt like he was a true friend. I’ll miss him for sure.”

The last year that Bob was living in Victoria, I was honoured to be able to present Bob with a plaque, commemorating the official naming of the Reilly Round Table. He proudly displayed this plaque on this fireplace mantle until he left for Ontario.

In between those two momentous occasions, Bob was also awarded the prestigious Farqhuar Magician Of The Year award.

Upon learning of his death, I instantly slipped into a space that can be described only as a permeating sadness.  Sadness that hangs still, and that surely is shared by all those who knew and loved him. The entire club is feeling this loss.

Although he will forever be part of my heart and soul, I heed his wise counsel and I say farewell today to a wonderful friend, father, husband, magician and human being.

David Attwood

E-mail : info@attwoodmagic.com

Web:  http://www.attwoodmagic.com

Dear Family & Friends:

We’ve all been through a difficult time with the sudden passing of Bob Sr.  Now that Audrey is settled and has had time to reflect about her situation, she informs us that she would prefer not to proceed with the planned memorial for December 10th.

Instead, she considers this memorial blog more fitting and respectful of his wishes. In addition, she feels that publishing his book, Lure of Polynesia is the legacy that he intended.

Look for more messages, as well as some videos that Bob Sr., created on this virtual memorial. We’ll also be in touch in the New Year about a publication date for his book, which will be made available online and through amazon.com

Audrey & Sisters, 2009

Audrey sends her best wishes to everyone for the Holidays. As befits the Season, she’s beginning a new life and doing so with wit and humour. She is happy to be re-establishing contact with old friends and family after so many years away from Toronto.

Regards,

Frances & Bob Reilly.

As well as being Bob’s realtor and friend, we were both very active members of the Victoria Magic Circle. The monthly teaching sessions or Round Table, as it is called, were held at the Malahat Room in Bob & Audrey’s condo building. Bob was the driving force to this club’s activity. In fact, this event was renamed the Reilly Round Table in his honour.

He will be missed and I will pass on this sad news at the magicians meeting tomorrow. I know we will have a “Broken Wand” ceremony symbolizing the passing of a fellow magician and friend.

Again, my deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Doug Poruchny

Victoria Magic Circle

I first became interested in magic when I was quite young.  They had a resident magician in Eaton’s, Toronto, and at every opportunity I would watch, fascinated, and of course, buy one of the tricks.  I remember going to see Blackstone (Sr.) when he was in Toronto.  I used to practice for hours, but unfortunately was too shy to perform for anyone else.

In WWII, I joined the medical corps, transferred to the infantry and then transferred to the tank corps trying to get overseas.  Finally, after 4 years of trying, I decided to go on my own.  I took a train to Halifax (I was on furlough) and when I was passing P.E.I. decided to say good-bye to my chum who was in the Air Force there.  He talked me into going back and joining the R.C.A.F. which I did.  By the time I got through the course as a navigator, the war was over.

After the war, I married a most beautiful and charming girl called Audrey.  We are still on our honeymoon.  So far it has lasted over 53 years.  I then went back to school to attain the necessary qualifications to enter C.M.C.C. and eventually graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic.

One winter’s day I got tired of shoveling snow and decided to move my practice to B.C.  Before moving, we decided to take a short vacation in the South Pacific.  The short vacation lasted 21 years.  We took 3 months island-hopping from Tahiti to American Samoa, Western Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand.   Then spent another 3 months exploring N.Z.  We found N.Z. intriguing and decided to stay.  We had a craft shop and tea room in a little place called Waikino.  I did leather work, e.g. belts, sandals, etc. and imported mats, baskets and tapa from the islands.  I also made fudge.  Audrey made perfume, necklaces and scones and we bought pottery from different potters on the island.  Business was so good we were able to take holidays in Australia, Rarotonga, New Caledonia and Norfolk Island.  Unfortunately, there was a big flood which wiped out the village.

Although one son followed us to N.Z.  (He is still there, married with children) our other son in Toronto wanted us to return to Canada.  So in 1991 we moved to Victoria.

At a party I was introduced to John Meacham.  Naturally we got talking magic and he invited me to come to the Victoria Magic Circle (V.M.C.)

My ambition is to become the world’s greatest magician but I will settle for being able to entertain at Senior Centers or doing children’s parties.

Robert F. Reilly 1998

There are bugs that play in your garden all day

There are great big bugs that fly through the air

There are little wee bugs we pass without care

But the biggest beast in the bag of bugs

Is the big, bad, beetle, the Travel Bug.

He has big green eyes and pincers that bite

There are good bugs, of course, Bugs Bunny and the like.

But be careful when your feeling bored

And your mind to distant lands has soared

Just ‘cause your in bed all nice and snug

Doesn’t mean you’ve escaped from the travel bug.

How is Audrey? Please let Audrey know I love her and I’m thinking of her.

Diane Geange-Reilly (L2)