Bob Plunkett is from an old Orillia family. Robert Plunkett Sr. had 5 sons. Merton, Fred ( Bob’s father) , Sid, Morley and Albert. Before WW1, the 5 brothers formed the Plunkett Quintet. Merton or his more common name Mert created The Dumbells in 1917. They entertained the troops in France and England during the war. The Dumbells are credited for their contribution to bolstering soldiers morale.
Acknowledgement by the Canadian War Museum, The Canadian Encyclopedia, Museum of Canadian Music and Canadian Expeditionary Force Research Group.
The Plunkett Suite commissioned posthumously by OCB
“Dedicated to the memory of Robert Hartford Plunkett 1921 to 2002. Founding Music Director of the Orillia Concert Band, composed by Bruce Sutherland” in four movements in 2004
1- The Majesty of Canada
2-The Dance Hall
3-Hymm to Huron Waters
4-Coast to Coast
Composer of the Plunkett Suite, Bruce “Suds” Sutherland 1945 to 2024
Inside the Conductor’s score of The Plunkett Suite
The Plunkett Suite cover page
The Plunkett Suite Conductor’s score pages 2 and 3
By John Swartz
Orillia Sun Online March 18 2021 (Covid Pandemic)
Today would have been Bob Plunkett’s 100th birthday. In better times, maybe the Orillia Concert Band would have had a concert tonight to mark the occasion.
Bob was the first conductor of the OCB. After a career teaching music at Western Tech and Parkdale Collegiate in Toronto and as bandmaster of the HMCS York Navy Band he retired here and bought a house on Bass Lake.
At the 25th anniversary of Park Street Collegiate where Stan was the music teacher, former students were saying it was too bad there wasn’t a band they could play in. Bob thought he was going to retire, maybe fish or boat and Stan had people who wanted to form a band. Stan knew Bob and suggested Bob was the person to lead the band.
Of course Stan played clarinet in the band and helped with the administration of it. Former Packet & Times managing editor Jeff Day, who played in the band, probably ran many stories about the band forming and recruiting members. There were 55 people at the first rehearsal in 1986.
Almost year later in 1987 they hit the stage and that year The OCB started a new community institution, the Christmas Prelude. The concert was for many years the start of the season for all the other Christmas themed concerts. Having grown up with a family retail business I was not a fan of Christmas for most of my life, and it was at a Christmas Prelude I rediscovered I kind of liked it.
Plunkett, Robert Hartford Obituary
PLUNKETT, Robert Hartford, BA (Mus)
Robert received his Bachelor of Arts in music at the University of Toronto in 1949. He went on to be a music teacher, and then Music Department Head at Western Technical Institute and Parkdale Collegiate Institute (Toronto Board of Education) for a combined total of 34 years. He was also a veteran of W.W. II in the RCAF-Leading Aircraftsman. Later he served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve. He also received the Centennial Medal for services as Director of HMCS York Navy Band, retiring in 1971. He was the founder of the Orillia Concert Band (Orillia Wind Ensemble). Robert passed away at the Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, January 9th, 2002 in his 81st year. Dearly loved husband for 59 years of Gladys Plunkett (nee Griffin). Loving father of Robert Plunkett of Toronto, Marion Plunkett of Toronto & Coldwater and Pamela and her husband Peter Szegvary of Brampton. Dear grandfather of Monica and Michael. Survived by his sister Gaye Irwin and predeceased by Patricia Lovering. Sadly missed by his many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the Doolittle-Carson Funeral Home, 54 Coldwater St. E., Orillia from 7-9 p.m. Friday, January 11th, 2002. A musical tribute will be held Saturday at 2 o’clock at St. Paul’s United Church, Orillia. If desired, memorial donations to the OSMH Foundation, Alzheimer’s Society, Orillia Wind Ensemble or St. Paul’s United Church. ;Thank You For the Music
Thank you OCB audience and the Plunkett family for coming out during the heat wave and supporting us on Sunday June 22 2025!
Pictured here from left to right are, son Bob Plunkett Jr, daughter Pam, daughter Marion holding great-granddaughter Alara and granddaughter Monica of Bob and Gladys Plunkett.
Thanks also to all the businesses and organizations that support us!