The Story of Bob and Linda

Meet Bob and Linda, longtime Ellwood House residents.

Bob Gravelle is Ellwood House’s security tenant—he looks after some of the regular chores and acts as backup when the property manager is not there. He’s also a school crossing guard. You’ll see him out helping the children of Alta Vista Public School cross the Bank and Randall intersection. He’s lived at Ellwood House for 19 years.

Linda has lived at Ellwood House for 13 years. That’s right—they did not arrive as a married couple. They were married four years ago in the lounge at Ellwood House by the Rev. Peter Crosby, of St. Thomas the Apostle church, on whose campus Ellwood House stands.

Bob arrived at Ellwood House with his first wife, Elaine. They were young seniors at the time, but Elaine was not well. She had developed Lambert- Eaton syndrome, a rare neuromuscular disorder, and that marked the end of their world travels. When Linda arrived at Ellwood House, she and Elaine became good friends; and Linda would sit with Elaine when Bob went to his once-a-week bowling. Elaine passed away in 2017. 

The lovely apartment featured in photos on Ellwood House’s website is Bob and Linda’s. They were pleased when it became available shortly after they got married. “It was better to start afresh, in neither person’s old apartment,” says Linda. They kindly allow visiting dignitaries to check it out, when it’s convenient. Combining two households wasn’t easy, says Linda. “There had to be a lot of give and take.”

Bob and Linda are both longtime Ottawans, although Linda is originally from Peterborough. After raising her children in Ottawa, she worked at Sears for 25 years. She was one of Sear’s knowledgeable appliance salespeople. Luckily, she retired before the company closed all its Canadian stores, so she feels lucky to have her pension.

Bob started his career in the military, where he worked on the DEW Line. Then he spent eight years owning, training and driving racehorses at Rideau Carleton Raceway, Connaught Park and Blue Bonnets Raceway in Montreal. Later, he worked in security with the federal government, where he was heavily involved in the lead-up to Y2K—remember that? After taking an early retirement, he became a security consultant, advising private companies and members of Parliament about the security of their private homes. 

Bob spearheads many of the social events at Ellwood House—Canada Day, Grey Cup, Octoberfest, Christmas, Tuesday afternoon tea times; they’re all good opportunities to socialize. Bob operates the BBQ and is in charge of the furniture for most events; Linda and several other tenants help in the kitchen.

“It’s an apartment building—not a retirement home,” they say. “We all have busy lives, but it’s nice to get together with our neighbours.”