Bob Codner

In his words…..

Robert (Bob) Codner was born the eldest child of Henry and Elizabeth Codner on December 23, 1942. December 23rd is recognized as a unique holiday in Newfoundland history! Bob attended St. Nicholas School and his high school education was completed at the Presentation Convent in Torbay. Subsequent to this, he attended Memorial University and later went to work with a consulting engineering firm where he also completed his training for admission into the Newfoundland Surveyors Association. His later work years were spent working with the Newfoundland Housing Corporation where he further completed his training for admission into the Appraisal Institute of Canada. Bob retired in 1997 and was first elected to the Torbay Council in the fall of 1997. He later served four terms on the Torbay Council; three of which were as Mayor.

In addition, Bob also served as President of the Kinsman Club of Torbay and Area in the early eighties and was awarded the Outstanding Presidents Award. He also served as president of the Torbay Heritage Committee and chaired the construction of the Torbay Veterans Memorial which was dedicated in 1997. He has chaired both the July 1^st and Nov.11^th services since that date.

Bob’s first book was entitled The History of Torbay and contained chapters dedicate as follows:

• Chapter 1 Introduction
• Chapter 2 Early Settlement
• Chapter 3 The Traditional Fishery
• Chapter 4 Storms and Disasters
• Chapter 5 French Invasions
• Chapter 6 Torbay Roads
• Chapter 7 Farming
• Chapter 8 The First Schools
• Chapter 9 Two Churches
• Chapter 10 The Post Office
• Chapter 11 Times and Balls
• Chapter 12 The Races
• Epilogue Torbay Today

Bob’s second book focuses are on similar historical topics ever so important to the complete history of Torbay. The two books together complete the History of Torbay and the second book includes the following topics:

• Chapter 1 Lest We Forget
• Chapter 2 That that go down to the Sea
• Chapter 3 Liddy’s
• Chapter 4 Hunting and fishing
• Chapter 5 The Blacksmiths
• Chapter 6 The Move to Motorized vehicles
• Chapter 7 Early law and Order
• Chapter 8 The Clapper
• Chapter 9 The Coming of Electricity