Neilson Robinson was a man of integrity

Life Tributes

BY DENISE DENNIS Observer writer

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Neilson Robinson was a disciplinarian, which sometimes made him seem 'grouchy' but for his daughter, Marylia Harris, he was a loving son, a devoted husband and the best father to his five children.

"He was hardworking, honest, reliable, extremely disciplined and a man of integrity," Marylia said of her father.

Robinson passed away peacefully on the 22nd of June and his funeral service was held on Wednesday at the Gregory Park Seventh Day Adventist Church where he was a member.

His sister Beverly did his eulogy. She said he worked as a Construction Supervisor and a painter in Manchester before moving to Kingston where he joined the Kingston and St Andrew Fire Brigade in 1960.

He was a fireman for 34 1/2 years.

Alfred Wood, a colleague of Robinson in the Fire Brigade gave tribute to the hardworking fire-fighter.

"He was respected not only by other members of staff, but by members of the public, who often sent letters of commendation for the excellent service rendered by him during the performance of his duties," Wood said.

He said Robinson was an asset to the fire department and an excellent and upstanding member of society.

"I am proud to give him this tribute and call him my friend," he said.

In 1967, Robinson received a Diploma in watch making and fixed clocks and watches.

He received training in Supervisory Management at the College of Arts, Sciences and Technology (CAST), now known as University of Technology (UTECH). He was hired shortly after to be a lecturer there.

In 1973, he received a Certificate of Merit from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and in 1985, an Order of Merit from then Governor General, Sir Florizel Glasspole.

For Marylia, however, he was more than just a man of many awards and accolades. For her, he was a family man who took great care of his late wife Ruby before she died and of his elderly mother Mabel who has succeeded him in life.

She fondly remembers his disciplinary method when they were children. She said although he didn't beat them, they had to endure what they called 'lecturation time'.

"He would let us get away every thing we did during the we did during the week and would wait for Saturday or Sunday morning to discuss it over breakfast. If we didn't get it on Saturday, you can bet we were going to get it on Sunday," Marylia said, smiling at the memory.

She said her father was her biggest cheerleader and encouraged her in everything she did. She said if weren't for him; she would not have completed her first book.

"Our father wanted the best for us children and would always provide us with his best advice. He always told us to do the good we could, to all the people we could, for as long as we could," she said.

In a shaky voice Marylia promised that she will try her best not let her father down as she believes he lived by those very words, which were the last thing he told her before he died.