Obituary of John Robbins

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father, John (Jack) Oliver Robbins of the Nashwaak Villa, formerly of Cross Creek, N.B., on April 1, 2014 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital. Born in Cross Creek on February 5, 1925, he was the son of the late Charles and Gertrude Robbins (née Thomas). Predeceased by his beloved wife, Mabel Margaret Robbins (née Coughlan) and son, Jerry Craig Robbins, Jack is survived and forever missed by his two daughters, Nelda and Karen, three grandchildren whom he adored, Jayme Robbins of Edmonton, Alberta, and Andreas and Ariana Marquis of Fredericton, sisters-in-law Rita Coughlan O’Rourke of St. Andrews and Anne Coughlan of Fredericton, N.B, and daughter-in-law, Joanne Robbins of Edmonton, Alberta and several nieces and nephews. Jack was a lumber man his entire life, retiring as the shipping supervisor from the Deersdale mill in 1996 after 40 years with J. D. Irving Limited, a company he loved and respected. Growing up on the family farm in Cross Creek, he was a natural athlete who learned to swim and skate early on the Robbins’ millpond, a favorite meeting place for all the community. His passion was traveling anywhere, either by car or plane, keeping up to date with current events, hockey and automotive news, reading, walking and snowshoeing in the woods and attending air shows and car races. He was an avid sports fan especially when it came to the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Red Sox. A final trip to Europe in 2010 with his girls was his trip of a lifetime - a life-long dream realized. Jack’s kindness and politeness made him a gentleman in the truest sense of the word and well-liked by all who met and knew him. Visitation will take place at York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive, Fredericton, N.B. on Friday, April 4 from 6-8 pm and Saturday from 12-2 pm. The funeral service will take place at York Funeral Home’s T. Gordon MacLeod Memorial Chapel on Saturday, April 5 at 2 pm with Rev. Gordon Mowry officiating. Interment will take place at St. Paul’s Anglican Cemetery, Cross Creek, N.B. at a later date. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Cross Creek Baptist Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice. The family would like to thank the staff of the Nashwaak Villa and the doctors and nurses of 4NW at the DECH for the excellent care given to Dad these past years and in the recent weeks of Dad’s brief illness. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com.