Gary Donald Robinson, Mildred Saskatchewan, passed away peacefully September 2, 2020, at the age of 83.

Gary was born March 21,1937, on the family farm by Mildred, to Harold Sidney Robinson and Rosina Marie (Feist) Robinson.  Gary attended school until the age of 14, quitting to go to work and help provide for his younger siblings.  Gary’s education never stopped, though.  He spent his life with reference books close at hand, studying encyclopedias and, more often, atlases.  He was a self-taught expert on the history and the tales of western Canada and America.  Gary’s work career started on Mr. Turgeon’s threshing crew, and included working on a mink ranch at Fish Lake, cutting pulp at Hinton, and many winters logging at Fort St. James, and always farming.

In 1959 Gary started courting the Mildred school teacher, Joan Eileen Larsen.  They were married December 10, 1960.  Gary and Joan raised their four children on the family farm.

Gary was always an active community member. First and foremost, he dedicated many years to organizing Mildred Sports Day’s men’s fastball tournament.  He coached and played for the Mildred Mustangs Men’s Softball Team; his natural talent and leadership left a lasting imprint on the young players of the community.  He was an active member of Spiritwood Lions Club for many years, creating many community initiatives.  He was RM councillor.  Gary was a founding member of the Spiritwood Elbowbenders Oldtimers Hockey, travelling to many destinations to play, including Victoria, Florida, Hawaii.  Gary also helped with building and running events at Sad Saacs park in Spiritwood.

Throughout, Gary was a farmer and a cattleman.  He cleared and broke many acres, turning the native poplar bluffs, stands of spruce and small grass meadows into productive farmland.  He later turned many of his acres back into grass for his beloved cattle.  His cattle were his passion.  Gary raised commercial beef cattle, then switched to purebred Salers, then back to commercial beef.  Winning the Cinderella Classic at Mexibition was a proud achievement for this cattle-loving man.

Gary never walked when he could run.  He rose with the sun and he never seemed to run out of energy.  He was healthy, strong, athletic, and he was soft-hearted. He would come to the defence of the underdog. He would cry watching Lassie, and he would pick his guitar for his children and grandchildren’s entertainment.

Gary was predeceased by his parents, ‘Sid” and ‘Rose’, his brother Tom and his sister Barbara.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joan; Daughter Dianne Marie (Dale) Kieper, their children: Jodi Kieper, Jodi’s daughter Hadley; Jeffrey (Kim) Kieper and their son Shea; Tana Kieper (Stuart McGregor); Earl (Alison) Kieper, their children Kipling and Sybil; Tell Kieper.  Son Brent Donald (Charlena) Robinson, their daughter Chandra, her children Stevie, Parker and Boden; their son David Brenton (Sarah-Dawn) and their sons Hunter and Tristan.  Son Cal Dale (Tammy) Robinson; their sons Michael (Teigan), Christopher (Kaeli) and their daughter Kenzley; Patrick (Cassidy).  Son Marty Robinson and his children Mackenzy and Zachary.

His brother Perry (Elaine) Robinson, sister Linda (Raymond) Runzer, and sister-in-law Eileen Robinson, as well as his nieces and nephews.

A family graveside service will be held for Gary.

Gary is not a man that will easily be forgotten.  As long as we remember a person, they are not really gone.

Donations in Gary’s Memory may be made to the Spiritwood and District Long Term Care Home.  Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Lori Saam, 306-883-3500

 

• Date : 2020-09-02
• Location : Mildred