Robert Wayne Wilson, a beacon of love and kindness, departed this world on Monday, April 22, 2024 from the comfort of his home in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Surrounded by loving family and friends, his last days were filled with hugs, comfort, prayers, and music.

Bob leaves behind his wife and best friend of 65 years Kay Jean (Harris), daughter Melissa Auten (John), son Brian Wilson (Jodi), and four beloved grandsons: Jared Auten (partner Kabryn), Spencer Auten (Allison), Sam Wilson, and Jake Wilson.

He was born in Toronto, Ohio on August 21, 1936, the last child of Oliver Raymond and Mary Ellen (Dougherty) Wilson. Preceding him in death were seven siblings.

Bob's life on this earth cannot be easily described. After graduating from Toronto High School in 1954, he served in the US Army at Fort Knox, Kentucky followed by eight years in the Army Reserve. He was employed at Titanium Metals Corporation for 40 years, holding many positions including Laboratory Assistant, Foreman, General Foreman, and the last five years as Safety Director.

During that same time, he served 24 years in city government as First Ward Councilman, Councilman at Large, President of Council, City Treasurer, and then 16 years as Mayor. He was proud to say he never lost an election.

As mayor, Bob relentlessly pursued county, state, and federal funding for projects such as the replacement of the Trent Street Bridge, interchange at Titanium Way, Newburg Landing, a city building, library, water treatment plant, Fourth Street sidewalks, and street lights projects. He also created the Flag program to hang and replace flags in the downtown area through citizen donations.

On the eve of his first term election as Mayor in 1984, Bob gathered friends, businessmen, civic and religious leaders, school administrators, and teachers at his home on River Avenue and presented them with an idea for a core volunteer community improvement service team. He sold the idea that by enhancing the appearance of the city, new businesses would be attracted and the quality of life in the city would be enhanced.

Known as the Toronto Beautification Committee, members got to work raising funds and volunteering on such projects as Welcome to Toronto signs, landscaping both entrances to town, building a larger gazebo in the Commons, creating pocket parks downtown with memorial trees and benches, Liberty Square, Kaul Clay Pipe Garden, signage, picnic area, and landscaping at Newburg Landing boat dock as well as recruiting committee members to help maintain all of these projects.

The final and most ambitious undertaking was the restoration of the Soldiers and Sailors World War I bronze statue and the creation of Veterans Victory Pavilion. With his wife Kay Jean as co-chair who wrote several grants to fund the project, citizen donations, businessmen support and volunteers, the project was completed in ten months under the auspices of the TBC selling 1000 memorial bricks, memorial trees, benches, lighting, and flags. Bob's vision and legacy lives on in every street corner of the town that he loved and served. The Toronto Beautification Committee which he created has served the city with 40 years of continuous service.

Bob was honored with many awards over his lifetime: Toronto Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award, Toronto High School Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni award, 1990 Who's Who in Government Service award, and the Governors Award for Outstanding Contributions to a Cleaner Ohio award. His name is also enshrined in the Ohio State House of Representatives as an outstanding and dedicated public servant.

After being diagnosed at age 38 with type one diabetes, Bob became a runner. He ran many 5K races and the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington DC. He loved to tell his doctors that he ran 45,000 miles over his lifetime. The last years of his life he managed 10,000 steps per day walking in the neighborhood in Wake Forest, North Carolina, where neighbors called him 'our Mr. Rogers.'

His favorite hobby was fishing for walleye with his son Brian and friends in Canada, Lake Erie, and Pymatuming Lake along with running the vacuum sweeper every day (which became a family joke) and weeding the gardens beside his daughter Melissa.

Bob had three things on his coffee table. The book of Psalms, his rosary, which he prayed every day for others, and a copy of the Constitution. That's all you needed to know about how he lived his life. He was known for his firm handshake (avoid that or risk of broken hand), big smile, and hugs. Bob quietly helped many people. He randomly bought tennis shoes and lunch for kids getting into trouble, along with a stern lecture about getting an education or ending up in jail. While he was mayor, he often paid the delinquent water bills for senior citizens. He believed in acts of kindness and action.

Bob's family has chosen the Toronto Beautification Committee (PO Box 102, Toronto, OH 43964) as his favorite charity.

We invite you to celebrate his life at his funeral Mass on Saturday, September 7, 10:30 A.M. with Father Thomas Vennitti presiding at Saint Francis of Assisi Church, Toronto, Ohio, where Bob served as an altar boy. Family members will receive guests from 9:45 prior to the service. A light lunch to follow the Mass in the church hall.

If love could've kept him here, he never would have died. www.jefosterfh.com