Obituary for George Robinson
George Robinson of Harbour Grace passed away May 18, 2020 at the age of 71. Born Nov. 5, 1948 in Whitburn, England, George developed duelling passions for football and music in his youth. A lifelong supporter of Sunderland AFC, he attended Northern School of Music in Manchester and the University of London Institute of Education. He taught for a number of years in England, including a couple as music department head at Ryhope Comprehensive School, where he was in charge of music for several large musical productions. One of these productions, The Who’s Rock Opera Tommy, received attention in widely published national and international music magazines.
His teaching career unexpectedly took him across the ocean to Newfoundland in 1977. George went on to teach music at schools in Heart's Delight, Heart's Content and Bay Roberts before retiring. He taught piano and served as an accompanist for singers and choirs for many years at the Carbonear Kiwanis Music Festival. George could usually be counted on to break out a trumpet on neighbours' doorsteps at Christmas or to perform the "Last Post" and "Reveille" at the annual Remembrance Day ceremony hosted by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 15 in Harbour Grace. He was also a dedicated volunteer to provincial swimming for many years, in particular with the Poseidon Swim Club of Carbonear.
Pre-deceased by parents George Robinson and Annie (Jones) Robinson. Forever loved by his wife of almost 42 years Maureen (Tompkins) Robinson and his four children — Andrew (Kym Greeley), Anna (Gareth Davies), Eileen (Scott Mathieson) and Bridget. Also siblings Peter Robinson (Denny Robinson) and Dorothy Layfield, grandchildren Violet, Otis, Oscar, Fiona, Frida and Margot, as well as many other family members and friends. An event to celebrate George's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to the NL Terry Fox Foundation or Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in Harbour Grace. His family also asks that eligible individuals consider donating blood or platelets at Canadian Blood Services, as he required several transfusions in the last months of his life. His family thanks the staff in ward 4 North A at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s for the wonderful care provided to George during his hospital stays.
Ha’way the lads.
His teaching career unexpectedly took him across the ocean to Newfoundland in 1977. George went on to teach music at schools in Heart's Delight, Heart's Content and Bay Roberts before retiring. He taught piano and served as an accompanist for singers and choirs for many years at the Carbonear Kiwanis Music Festival. George could usually be counted on to break out a trumpet on neighbours' doorsteps at Christmas or to perform the "Last Post" and "Reveille" at the annual Remembrance Day ceremony hosted by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 15 in Harbour Grace. He was also a dedicated volunteer to provincial swimming for many years, in particular with the Poseidon Swim Club of Carbonear.
Pre-deceased by parents George Robinson and Annie (Jones) Robinson. Forever loved by his wife of almost 42 years Maureen (Tompkins) Robinson and his four children — Andrew (Kym Greeley), Anna (Gareth Davies), Eileen (Scott Mathieson) and Bridget. Also siblings Peter Robinson (Denny Robinson) and Dorothy Layfield, grandchildren Violet, Otis, Oscar, Fiona, Frida and Margot, as well as many other family members and friends. An event to celebrate George's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to the NL Terry Fox Foundation or Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in Harbour Grace. His family also asks that eligible individuals consider donating blood or platelets at Canadian Blood Services, as he required several transfusions in the last months of his life. His family thanks the staff in ward 4 North A at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s for the wonderful care provided to George during his hospital stays.
Ha’way the lads.