After listing off a multitude of Bob SaundersB次元官网网址� accomplishments, Doug Kobayashi was quick to praise him for getting the West Shore Chamber of Commerce back on solid ground.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 been a phenomenal resource for turning the Chamber around, a true philanthropist and someone I aspire to be like,B次元官网网址� said Kobayashi, who has served as Chamber president the past four years and has known Saunders for five. B次元官网网址淚f I needed to know who to connect with, Bob was the one who made it happen.B次元官网网址�

His respect for Saunders is the reason Kobayashi took on the presidency of the Westshore Rebels football club before this season.

B次元官网网址淚 had more than enough on my plate,B次元官网网址� said Kobayashi, who owns BiteZ Sandwich Bar in Colwood and is chair of the advisory council for the business school at Royal Roads University,  B次元官网网址淚 only did it because Bob asked me. HeB次元官网网址檚 been my best friend and I would do anything for Bob. He comes in for coffee three times a week and we try to solve the worldB次元官网网址檚 problems.B次元官网网址�

Kobayashi credited the success of Saunders Subaru to BobB次元官网网址檚 strong business sense and especially, the way he deals with people, but points out thatB次元官网网址檚 only part of the reason Saunders and his family business have earned numerous awards and accolades from his peers.

Another strength is that Saunders understands the importance of community involvement and takes it to the extreme, Kobayashi stressed. B次元官网网址淭here are things he does that stick in your mind,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淚 distinctly remember a woman dropping her car off for service who thanked Bob for looking after everything during a tragic period for her family. She said Bob helped them get back on their feet and she will never forget him. You hear so many off the cuff remarks about the Saunders family; their reputation speaks for itself.B次元官网网址�

He recalled a difficult period in 2014 when Saunders was was very sick at Christmas time.

B次元官网网址淓ven the people at the hospital who were taking care of him were talking about how sincere, caring and grateful he was to them,B次元官网网址� Kobayashi recalled. B次元官网网址淚 wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be surprised if he sold half of them cars before he left,B次元官网网址� he added with a chuckle.

John Wilson credits Bob Saunders for teaching him the importance of giving back and connecting with the community. Wilson said he learned early on the benefits of following SaundersB次元官网网址� lead when he began to grow his own company, Wilson Transportation, which handles travel for the Victoria Grizzlies hockey team and Westshore Rebels football.

B次元官网网址淚 followed BobB次元官网网址檚 lead on how to grow a company and how to give back,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淗e taught me and my company the importance of bringing local business and community back into supporting the team when I took over the Grizzlies,B次元官网网址� said Wilson, a majority owner and team president for the past five years.

He said heB次元官网网址檚 always admired Saunders and his son DaveB次元官网网址檚 ability to bring people together and make decisions. B次元官网网址淭hey are a huge part of Colwood, one of the last remaining family companies, and always have a finger on the pulse of the community.B次元官网网址�

He lauded their support for the Grizzlies, Rebels and, in the past, the Victoria Shamrocks, and credited them with bringing community support for teams back into the mainstream.

B次元官网网址淏obB次元官网网址檚 very vocal and works hard to ensure thereB次元官网网址檚 business support as well,B次元官网网址� Wilson added. Of the sale of the dealership, he said, B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a sad day, but IB次元官网网址檓 very happy for him and his family. It must have been a difficult and emotional decision, but IB次元官网网址檓 sure itB次元官网网址檚 best for the family.B次元官网网址�

He looks forward to working with the Saunders family on projects in the future. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 sure they will remain strong supporters of the Grizzlies and will continue to be involved in the community in many ways.B次元官网网址�

Langford Mayor Stew Young said it will be impossible to replace the work Bob Saunders and his family have done.

B次元官网网址淚 think Bob and the family have been a major contributor to ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 success and a tireless champion for charitable endeavours,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淗e always put his family and the community first, and they have been enthusiastic supporters for recreation and positive projects that have made significant improvements in Colwood and the West Shore. HeB次元官网网址檚 a good family man who instilled strong values in his kids, a great advocate for business and a leading force for positive change.B次元官网网址�

Young hopes retirement will enable Saunders to spend more time and be more involved in supporting charities and positive initiatives that improve the quality of life for people in the community.

B次元官网网址淥therwise there will be a big hole thatB次元官网网址檚 impossible to fill,B次元官网网址� he added.

Ken Taylor says that in all his years in business, heB次元官网网址檚 only come across two or three families that he can compare to the Saunders.

B次元官网网址淭he whole family is top shelf on all fronts,B次元官网网址� said Taylor, owner-operator of several McDonalds franchises on the West Shore.

B次元官网网址淭hey are absolutely brilliant business people. I couldnB次元官网网址檛 have more respect for any other family. Bob is one of the smartest business people I have ever met,B次元官网网址� Taylor continued.

B次元官网网址淭here are very few people out there who have that kind of solid business background like Bob. ItB次元官网网址檚 extremely rare to meet anyone like him.B次元官网网址�

The familyB次元官网网址檚 commitment to charitable causes has impressed as well. B次元官网网址淭here are numerous examples of how they always put the community first. Their generosity doesnB次元官网网址檛 stop,B次元官网网址� Taylor noted. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been an absolute pleasure to be associated with that family.B次元官网网址�

HeB次元官网网址檚 looking forward to seeing what the group will do now that they have sold the business. B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 wait to see what they get up to next,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪tay tuned, because itB次元官网网址檚 going to be fun.B次元官网网址�

Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton canB次元官网网址檛 recall a time when her kids were growing up that they werenB次元官网网址檛 wearing a Saunders Subaru team jersey for one sport or another.

B次元官网网址淥ne of the games we played during trips in the car was to count the Subarus compared to Fords,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he number of cars you see with the Saunders Subaru logo is a testament to their business acumen. They have been a focus and a hinge for what happens in this community for many years.B次元官网网址�

Hamilton said she has heard numerous stories about the familyB次元官网网址檚 generosity and commitment to charitable causes.

B次元官网网址淜udos to them for that,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚t sounds like they have done their homework to ensure the Pattison Group will continue the great work they have done in the community.B次元官网网址�