May 22, 1935 - July 25, 2021
On May 22nd, 1935, James Robinson was born in Belfast Northern Ireland.
As he jokingly - and accurately said, "He was a man you don't meet every day." He was an original. A unique blend of old-fashioned gentleman and impudent rascal. He believed every challenge in life could be handled with laughter, and that regular bowel movements could cure what laughter couldn't.
Raised as an only child, he married Audrey, the 13th child of a close and rambunctious family, and suffered much love and affection because of it.
He emigrated with his wife and children Mark (Layne) and Nicola (Matthew) and was quickly adopted as a second father by Liam, Jane (Guy), Catherine (Brad) and Martin McILwrath. And was never again allowed to be the shy man sitting in the corner.
He was fond of saying things like "Come home early so your mother won't worry," (she wouldn't), "Your Aunt Audrey won't sleep if you don't call to say you're safe" (she slept just fine) and "Have you been to the bathroom today?" whenever he was at a loss as to how to help.
He was an Elder at the Presbyterian Church, yet he firmly believed that all religion was like a freeway. "Everyone is heading in the same direction...they're just in different lanes."
He believed that children know the secret to happiness, and that when they said things like, "The moon is made of bitten cookies," it was both observant and profound.
Jim retired from Alcan in 1993, and thoroughly enjoyed his retirement. He wore a grass skirt in Hawaii, walked the Lagan in Belfast, and took countless drives through BC, Alberta and beyond. He had many grandchildren, and never thought of any of them as "Honorary". To him, Sean, Jessica, Sarah, Daniel, Cassidy, Conor, Shaylah, Aidan, Malachai and Montgomery were equally loved.
Jim was a kind man who knew contentment was the key to happiness, that every child should have a bike, and that Audrey would judge him for swearing, even if she was miles away.
He will be dearly missed and loved always.
He was a man you don't meet every day.