Robert "Bobbie" Thibault

Robert "Bobbie" Thibault, a man who wheeled his way into the hearts of many with his unparalleled knack for fixing and riding bicycles, has pedaled off to the great bike trail in the sky on May 1, 2024. Born on February 15, 1956, in the quaint town of Nesco, NJ, Bobbie's journey took a peaceful final pit stop in Mount Vernon, Ohio. His departure was due to Small Cell Lung Leukemia, yet his legacy is anything but small.

Bobbie, known for his selfless nature, loving heart, and friendly demeanor, could light up a room faster than a cyclist breaking away from the peloton. He wasn't just a man who knew his way around a bike chain and a set of handlebars; he was a beacon of joy and laughter, always ready with a quip that would make even the sternest of faces crack a smile.

Behind every great comedian, there's a great audience, and Bobbie's was his beloved wife, Connie Thibault, who laughed at all his jokes (both the good and the 'could use some work'). His comedic genius was also appreciated by his siblings, Tommy, Avon, Adrian, Celcia, Frank, Linda, Cheryl, his twin Rebecca, and Chris, who often found themselves as both the punchline and the heart of his stories. While his brother Stanley predeceased him, Bobbie would surely say, "Stanley's probably up there rigging the pearly gates with a bike rack."

Bobbie's love for bicycles was not just a hobby; it was a metaphor for his approach to life—keep moving forward, balance is key, and if you fall off, get right back on. His family fondly remembers how he could turn a broken-down two-wheeler into a masterpiece, much like how he approached his relationships—always looking to fix what was broken and make it better.

The words 'selfless, loving, friendly' were practically invented to describe Bobbie. He was the kind of guy who'd give you the shirt off his back, then joke that he didn't need it anyway because he had a spare tube top in his backpack. He was the friend who would show up at your door with a tire pump when you were feeling deflated, ready to offer a helping hand and a hearty chuckle.

Bobbie's life was a testament to the power of positivity and laughter. His existence was a series of anecdotes strung together by good deeds and punctuated by the bell of a bicycle. He didn't just touch lives; he gave them a gentle push down a hill on a summer day, breeze in the hair, and not a care in the world.

As we bid farewell to Robert "Bobbie" Thibault, let's not think of this as the end of the ride, but rather a well-earned rest at the final stop of an incredible journey. Bobbie would likely want us to remember him with a smile, a giggle, and maybe even a snort of laughter. So let's honor him by living life as he did—with humor, kindness, and the courage to tackle even the steepest of hills on our own two wheels.

Ride on, Bobbie, ride on.