Robert NUY Obituary

Robert was my life long very dear friend. In March 2014 we had a picknick near his home, we talked over our lives in the 25 years since I had moved to Canada and then the UK. It was as if we had parted only days before. He was still curious, kind and funny, with a disarming honesty about his life and what he thought of me as an old man compared to when we were six, sixteen and twenty-six. We laughed about our mistakes, old quarrels, adventures, and triumphs. While he confided that he had his disappointments and regrets, I assured him I believed he had lived his life like his parents, with dignity and honourably, and that I was proud of, and a better person for, having his friendship.

I never met anyone who did not warm to Rob, he had an easy charm, and optimistic air about him. He always seemed ahead of me, he left school first, found paying work first and then a career (Painting for a relative, then Mrs Yates salon in Colombo st), married first (in which I had a supporting role), and much much more. He often asked the simple but important questions like, what do we say if it goes wrong or do you love her. Many of us looked up to him as a trail blazer, I often relied upon him as a trusted friend.

If you can see us now Rob, thank you, may your god bless you, and I hope you can now rest in peace and comfort. I have been playing Steely Dan this past week, and will continue to miss you in the rest of my life.

Antony Smyth

So sorry to hear of Rob's untimely demise. My condolences to his family.