A longtime public servant in Coquitlam died on Monday, Dec. 11, in the Philippines.
Brian Robinson was 87.
Born on Nov. 4, 1936, in Toronto, Ont., Robinson had retired to Batangas in June with his wife, Arcadia Cruzat, a native of the Asian country.
A celebration of life will be held in the new year, said Robinson’s middle son, Sean, a teacher at Riverside Secondary School in Port Coquitlam.
Robinson never lost an election, he said: In 1976, Robinson won a seat on Coquitlam city council — a position he held for 20 years, including as acting mayor following the departure of then-mayor Jim Tonn — before being voted in as a Coquitlam school district trustee in 1999, a title he kept for 15 years.
As a civic politician and trustee, Robinson opened several new facilities and schools including the Chimo Pool expansion, the Poirier branch of the Coquitlam Public Library and the new Pitt River Middle.
He also helped to get the 50+ Glen Pine Pavilion in the City Centre neighbourhood up and running.
“There are plaques all around the Tri-Cities with his name on them,” Sean Robinson told the Tri-City News today, Dec. 13.
“His love for Coquitlam was huge and he left his mark.”
Robinson, who had a bachelor’s degree in social work from Concordia University and a master’s degree in social work from UBC, and worked as a marriage and family counsellor, also volunteered with the Gibbs Boys Club, the Boys and Girls Club of BC, the Coquitlam Foundation and Dogwood Pavilion, where he was on the Dogwood Hornets softball team that played at Mundy Park.
His contributions were appreciated by residents of every age, Sean Robinson said.
Robinson will be buried at Robinson Memorial Park in Coquitlam next to his first wife, Irmgard Lemke, who passed away in 1989.
He leaves behind three sons, Cameron, Sean and Dean; seven grandchildren; and step-daughter, Sherryl Cruzat.
SD43 trustee for Port Coquitlam and board chair Michael Thomas said the board of education “extends its deepest condolences and heartfelt sorrow on the passing of former school trustee Brian Robinson.”
“Brian's dedication and commitment to students enhanced the quality of education throughout the Coquitlam School District. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time as we mourn the loss of a valued member of our community.”
Added former SD43 trustee Diane Sowden, "It is with sadness that I heard of Brian's passing. It was a pleasure to know and work with Brian. He was always caring, level-headed and thoughtful in his role as school trustee. I had a long history with Brian as he was one of the social workers involved with the adoption of our oldest son, now 47 years old."
And trustee Carol Brodie, the executive director of the Coquitlam Foundation, "Brian Robinson was a dedicated school trustee and member of the Coquitlam Foundation's board. His impactful contributions to education and philanthropy have left an indelible mark on our community. Brian will be remembered for his unwavering commitment and leadership. The Coquitlam Foundation's heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. He will be missed."
